Author Question: oil from water (Read 598 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?

The Babylonians wrote numbers in a system that used 60 as the base value rather than the number 10. They did not have a symbol for "zero."

Did you know?

Patients who cannot swallow may receive nutrition via a parenteral route—usually, a catheter is inserted through the chest into a large vein going into the heart.

Did you know?

Barbituric acid, the base material of barbiturates, was first synthesized in 1863 by Adolph von Bayer. His company later went on to synthesize aspirin for the first time, and Bayer aspirin is still a popular brand today.

Did you know?

Automated pill dispensing systems have alarms to alert patients when the correct dosing time has arrived. Most systems work with many varieties of medications, so patients who are taking a variety of drugs can still be in control of their dose regimen.

Did you know?

Blastomycosis is often misdiagnosed, resulting in tragic outcomes. It is caused by a fungus living in moist soil, in wooded areas of the United States and Canada. If inhaled, the fungus can cause mild breathing problems that may worsen and cause serious illness and even death.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library