Question

Molecules that are non-polar are said to be hydrophobic because they do not have the ability to interact with water. They can interact with other hydrophobic molecules via hydrogen bonds. True or False?

Answer 1

The statement is false; non-polar molecules cannot form hydrogen bonds because they lack the permanent dipoles necessary for this type of interaction. They are hydrophobic and interact through dispersion forces, not hydrogen bonds.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that non-polar molecules can interact with other hydrophobic molecules via hydrogen bonds is false. Hydrogen bonding occurs between molecules that have a permanent dipole; that is, it typically happens between polar molecules or between a polar molecule and a partially charged atom within a molecule. In contrast, non-polar molecules, such as oils and fats, do not form hydrogen bonds because they lack such dipoles. These non-polar molecules are described as hydrophobic because they do not mix with water, which is a polar solvent. Instead, they may interact via dispersion forces or London forces, which are temporary, induced dipoles that occur even in non-polar molecules.