Final answer:
Norit works best in non-polar solvents and the worst in polar solvents. Polar substances like methanol and sodium sulfate dissolve in water, a polar solvent, while non-polar substances like octane dissolve in non-polar solvents such as toluene.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best solvents for Norit are non-polar solvents; it works the worst in polar solvents. This would indicate that option c) Non-polar solvents; polar solvents is the correct choice. Norit excels at adsorbing organic compounds, which are typically non-polar. Therefore, it performs well in non-polar environments where it can readily adsorb other non-polar substances.
Regarding the solubility of substances in solvents, water, being a polar solvent, generally dissolves ionic compounds like sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄) and other polar compounds such as methanol (CH3OH). On the other hand, non-polar compounds like octane (C8H18) do not dissolve well in water but are more soluble in non-polar solvents like toluene. This principle is based on the 'like dissolves like' rule in chemistry, where polar solvents dissolve polar substances, and non-polar solvents dissolve non-polar substances.