2006-12-02 09:12:08 · 10 answers · asked by aurelio.espinosa@sbcglobal.net 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
The density of something which is its weight for a given volume is very important as it determines which is heavier than the other and in this case oil is light and it has a very low rather small density as compared to water that's why it floats.
2006-12-02 09:45:28 · answer #1 · answered by Jayd 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It has to do with two things: the fact that oil and water do not mix and that oil is less dense than water.
Oil and water do not mix because oil is hydrophobic, that is, non-polar (non-charged). Water is a polar molecule. Like a magnet, it has a positive and negative side to each molecule. Therefore, it "likes" other similarly charged molecules.
Because the oil is not charged, it keeps itself separate from the water. Being less dense, it floats on top of the water.
2006-12-02 17:17:48 · answer #2 · answered by Pangolin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oil separates from water because there is a difference in density but that is not the only reason. Oil and water are not miscible because oil is a non-polar hydrocarbon and water is a polar compound. For example water and methanol have a larger density difference that oil and water but if you mix them up they will not separate because they are both polar compounds that are miscible in each other.
2006-12-02 17:21:51 · answer #3 · answered by jujri 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are two reasons for this happening.
1) Oil is less dense than water. Thus we normally see that a layer of oil is on top of water.
2) Oil is non-polar and water is polar. Non-polar substances don't mix with the polar substances. An example of polar substance is H2O. An example of non-polar substance is I2 (Iodine). In order to allow oil and water to mix, an emulsifier is needed. An emulsifier contains a hydrophilic (polar) head and a hydrophobic (non-polar) tail. Normally we call an emulsifier - fat.
2006-12-02 17:36:20 · answer #4 · answered by BBTech 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It has nothing to do with the density, alcohol and water dissolve in each other and yet are different densities, it's because water is a polar molecule and oils are nonpolar.
2006-12-02 17:17:58 · answer #5 · answered by Nick F 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oil is less dense than water. This is called Emulsion
2006-12-02 19:01:55 · answer #6 · answered by mac_pc 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oil seperates from water because oil is less dense than water, and that's why it basically floats on the top and doesn't mix with water.
2006-12-02 17:13:59 · answer #7 · answered by chococat 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Oil is lighter then water and oil is going UP and water is staying DOWN. This is why balloon is filled with helium: helium is lighter than air and it is going UP.
2006-12-02 17:18:13 · answer #8 · answered by delorayn1 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
oil is less dense than water
2006-12-02 17:19:43 · answer #9 · answered by shjkluke626 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
it's all about density
2006-12-02 17:19:40 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋