Final answer:
Chloroform (CHCl₃) is more soluble in water than carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) because of its polarity and the strong solute-solvent interactions it can form with water.
Step-by-step explanation:
Chloroform, CHCl₃, is more soluble in water than carbon tetrachloride, CCl₄, primarily because chloroform is a polar molecule with the ability to form hydrogen bonds with water. On the other hand, carbon tetrachloride is a nonpolar molecule and does not interact as strongly with water. Answer choice c, 'CHCl₃ is polar and has stronger solute-solvent interactions,' is correct. The polarity of CHCl₃ allows it to have strong solute-solvent interactions due to the hydrogen atoms in water molecules being attracted to the chlorine atoms in chloroform, which results in higher solubility in water. In comparison, CCl₄'s lack of polarity means it has weaker interactions with the polar water molecules, resulting in lower solubility in water.