2007-09-18 11:05:30 · 4 answers · asked by Sarah M 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Different Densities
2007-09-18 11:09:47 · answer #1 · answered by Bill 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Water is a polar molecule, oil is not. This means the electrons, and the charge are evenly distributed on an oil molecule, but not on water. A basic property in chemistry is that "like dissolves like" polar dissolves polar and vise-versa. So oil won't dissolve in water, it forms pools of oil that then join together, likewise water won't dissolve in oil.
The reason oil floats to the top is that it's less dense than the water, same reason a helium balloon floats in air.
2007-09-18 18:12:44 · answer #2 · answered by quailman67 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oil is not soluble in water, so they separate.
Oil's density is less than the density of water, so the oil floats on top of the water.
2007-09-18 18:13:57 · answer #3 · answered by skipper 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oils tend to be less dense than water and that's why they float.
They don't mix because water is polar and oils are non-polar
2007-09-18 18:10:27 · answer #4 · answered by dogsafire 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋