You test the solubility of a solute in three different solvents: water, vegetable oil, and hexane. Your results were: Water: Insoluble Vegetable Oil: Soluble Hexane: Soluble

Question

You conclude that:

A. the solute must be some foreign substance from outer space because this is not possible

B. The solvent hexane is polar

C. The solute is non-polar

D. The solvent hexane must be polar and non-polar

Answer 1

C. The solute is non-polar

We know that both vegetable oil and hexane are non polar solvents. Since the unknown is soluble in both, but not soluble in water (a polar solvent), we likely conclude the unknown solute is non polar.