Like Dissolves Like

Part of the Structure and Bonding section of Coddy's Chemistry journey. Lesson 32 of 49.

Like dissolves like: a substance dissolves in a solvent whose particles attract in a similar way.

Polar and ionic substances dissolve in water. Non-polar substances (iodine, oils, the orange pigment of carrots) dissolve in non-polar solvents such as hexane.

Challenge

Tetrachloromethane, CCl₄, was once used to clean grease off clothes. Is the molecule polar? (Grease is non-polar.)

Try it yourself

Shape viewerDescribe the molecule CCl₄

Test yourself

This lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.

All lessons in Structure and Bonding

2Covalent Bonds

Sharing Electrons Counting Valence Electrons Drawing Lewis Structures Double and Triple Bonds Lone Pairs Formal Charge Lewis Structures of Ions Recap - Molecule Builder

5Forces Between Molecules

London Forces Dipole-Dipole Forces Hydrogen Bonds Boiling PointsLike Dissolves LikeRecap - Boiling Contest

8Practice Problems

Recap - Polar Bonds Survey Recap - Pigments and Hexane Recap - Butanol and Ether Recap - Dots on an Oxide

3Shapes of Molecules

Electron Groups Linear and Trigonal Planar Tetrahedral Molecules Pyramids and Bent Molecules Bond Angles Recap - Shape Detective

6Metals and Giant Structures

Metallic Bonding Diamond and Graphite Giant Covalent Structures Four Kinds of Substance Recap - Material Match