Author Question: oil from water (Read 601 times)

IAPPLET

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 333
on: Aug 30, 2015
The spontaneous separation of oil from water seems to involve the generation of order; explain why it is an entropy-driven reaction.



Celeste

  • Hero Member
  • Posts: 588
Reply #1 on: Sep 1, 2015
This occurs as a result of repulsion of forces. I have a perfect slide that outlines exactly why this is.

Oil molecules are nonpolar, which cannot form H-bond with water.

Water molecules around oil droplets must rearrange H-bonds to form a cage-like structure.  Their orientations and movements are much restricted and so they have low entropy. The larger the oil-water interface, the lower the entropy. To maximize entropy, oil-water interface must be minimized, supporting spontaneous separation.

Post more questions!!! :)



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question
 

Did you know?

People about to have surgery must tell their health care providers about all supplements they take.

Did you know?

Nearly all drugs pass into human breast milk. How often a drug is taken influences the amount of drug that will pass into the milk. Medications taken 30 to 60 minutes before breastfeeding are likely to be at peak blood levels when the baby is nursing.

Did you know?

When blood is deoxygenated and flowing back to the heart through the veins, it is dark reddish-blue in color. Blood in the arteries that is oxygenated and flowing out to the body is bright red. Whereas arterial blood comes out in spurts, venous blood flows.

Did you know?

Urine turns bright yellow if larger than normal amounts of certain substances are consumed; one of these substances is asparagus.

Did you know?

There are 60,000 miles of blood vessels in every adult human.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library