Normally, nonpolar substances only dissolve in nonpolar substances and polar in polar substances. But when washing dishes, fats still dissolve in water. How is this possible?
Answer
Dear Gitte,
when you do the dishes, you use dish soap very often (if not always). These types of products contain detergents. These are molecules that have a polar, hydrophilic and an apolar, hydrophobic side. They are therefore also called amphiphilic molecules. When they come into contact with a hydrophobic molecule, for example fat, the hydrophobic sides of these molecules orient towards the fat, and the hydrophilic sides away from that fat, towards the water. In this way, these detergents ensure that a hydrophobic molecule is still soluble in water.
Conclusion: Detergents help dissolve hydrophobic molecules in water.
Regards,
Benjamin
Answered by
Dr. Benjamien Moeyaert
Biochemistry, biophysics, spectroscopy, microscopy, neuroscience, virology, gene therapy
Old Market 13 3000 Leuven
https://www.kuleuven.be/
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