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The nonpolar tails of soap molecules are:

A. hydrophilic and attracted to water
B. hydrophilic and attracted to oils
C. hydrophobic and attracted to oils
D. hydrophobic and attracted to water

1 Answer

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Final answer:

B. hydrophilic and attracted to oils The nonpolar tails of soap molecules are hydrophobic and attracted to oils, not water. These hydrophobic tails help trap grease in micelles for removal.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nonpolar tails of soap molecules are hydrophobic and attracted to oils. These lipid tails are uncharged or nonpolar and repel water, hence they are described as water-fearing. In contrast, the hydrophilic head of a soap molecule is attracted to water and is termed water-loving. Soap molecules are amphiphilic, which means they have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions.

This dual nature allows soap to remove oil and grease stains by forming micelles. The hydrophilic portion dissolves in water while the hydrophobic portion traps grease, which can then be washed away.

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