Final answer:
The intermolecular interactions, including London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole interactions, and hydrogen bonding, play a significant role in determining solubility. Like dissolves like, meaning that substances with similar intermolecular forces are likely to dissolve in each other. However, this rule is not absolute and should be applied with caution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The answer is intermolecular interactions. The intermolecular interactions include London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole interactions, and hydrogen bonding. From experimental studies, it has been determined that if molecules of a solute experience the same intermolecular forces that the solvent does, the solute will likely dissolve in that solvent. So, NaCl-a very polar substance because it is composed of ions-dissolves in water, which is very polar, but not in oil, which is generally nonpolar. Nonpolar wax dissolves in nonpolar hexane but not in polar water. This concept leads to the general rule that "like dissolves like" for predicting whether a solute is soluble in a given solvent. However, this is a general rule, not an absolute statement, so it must be applied with care.