Some sunscreens contain finely powdered zinc oxide suspended in a lotion or ointment, explain why these sunscreens are not solution of zinc oxide.

Question

hello! this is a question from unit 8 of grade 11 chemistry. I am not understanding how to answer this question.

Answer 1

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is not soluble in water, so that's why they don't use it or make it as solutions. Rather, they suspend the powdered ZnO in an ointment to application.