Like dissolves like means polar solutes dissolve in polar solvents and nonpolar solutes in nonpolar solvents. Which statement best reflects this principle?

Like dissolves like means polar solutes dissolve in polar solvents and nonpolar solutes in nonpolar solvents. Which statement best reflects this principle?

• A. Polar solutes dissolve in polar solvents; nonpolar solutes dissolve in nonpolar solvents.
• B. Only temperature matters.
• C. Polar solutes dissolve in nonpolar solvents.
• D. Nonpolar solutes dissolve in polar solvents.

Answer: (A)

Like dissolves like means dissolution depends on how well the solute and solvent can interact through similar intermolecular forces. Polar solutes carry dipoles and can form strong dipole-dipole interactions or hydrogen bonds with polar solvents, so these favorable interactions help the solute disperse and stay dissolved. Nonpolar solutes interact mainly via London dispersion forces with nonpolar solvents, and those compatible, weaker interactions are still enough to dissolve when both components are nonpolar. This is why polar solutes dissolve in polar solvents and nonpolar solutes dissolve in nonpolar solvents—the statement captures how matching types of intermolecular forces drive solubility. Relying only on temperature ignores the fundamental compatibility of forces; polar solutes do not dissolve best in nonpolar solvents, and nonpolar solutes do not dissolve best in polar solvents.

Like dissolves like means dissolution depends on how well the solute and solvent can interact through similar intermolecular forces. Polar solutes carry dipoles and can form strong dipole-dipole interactions or hydrogen bonds with polar solvents, so these favorable interactions help the solute disperse and stay dissolved. Nonpolar solutes interact mainly via London dispersion forces with nonpolar solvents, and those compatible, weaker interactions are still enough to dissolve when both components are nonpolar. This is why polar solutes dissolve in polar solvents and nonpolar solutes dissolve in nonpolar solvents—the statement captures how matching types of intermolecular forces drive solubility. Relying only on temperature ignores the fundamental compatibility of forces; polar solutes do not dissolve best in nonpolar solvents, and nonpolar solutes do not dissolve best in polar solvents.