Chemistry question about solutions

Question

Select the best term that completes this statement: Solvents dissolve solutes because the two substances have ________________ intermolecular interactions.

1. similar
2. attractive
3. competing
4. different
5. repulsive

Answer 1

There is an expression that "like dissolves like" and so of the choices presented "similar intermolecular attractions" and "attractive intermolecular interactions" would be suitable The answer certainly wouldn't be "competing", "different" nor "repulsive". Solvent molecules will "surround" molecules or ions of the solute and this is part of what makes the solute dissolve. So both similar and attractive intermolecular forces would fit. Probably the better answer would be "attractive".