Final answer:
Yes, a dipole-induced dipole interaction can occur between hexane and ethanol because the polar nature of ethanol can induce a temporary dipole in the nonpolar hexane molecule.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is asking whether a dipole-induced dipole interaction can occur between hexane and ethanol. Yes, it can. Hexane is a nonpolar molecule with no permanent dipole moment, but it can have an instantaneous dipole due to momentary uneven distribution of electrons. Ethanol, on the other hand, is a polar molecule due to its -OH (hydroxyl) group, which can form hydrogen bonds.
When ethanol is near hexane, the permanent dipole (due to the hydroxyl group) in the ethanol molecule can induce a dipole in the hexane molecule temporarily. This interaction is weaker than hydrogen bonding but still results in attractions between the molecules. The intermolecular forces present in pure ethanol involve extensive hydrogen bonding, while in hexane, they are predominantly London dispersion forces. When ethanol and hexane mix, the polar ethanol can perturb the electron cloud of nonpolar hexane, generating an induced dipole, thus creating dipole-induced dipole interactions.