rules are NOT enought, WHY is all that matters?

Question

"likes dissolve likes"
someone explain. why. i know what polar molecules are so don;t bother explaing that. but why would a non polar dissolve in a nonpolar solution?

Answer 1

To dissolve successfully, the endothermic bit of splitting up the solid (and forcing solvent molecules apart) must be matched by an exothermic bit of successful and attractive forces being formed between solute and solvent - to help pay for it all, so to speak.