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3. explain the relative solubility of graphite in a) water and b) hexane.
Accepted Answer
Graphite is a form of carbon with a layered structure.
a) Water: Graphite is insoluble in water. Water is a polar solvent, meaning it has a positive and negative end due to the uneven sharing of electrons. Graphite is nonpolar, meaning it has no separation of charge. Like dissolves like - polar substances dissolve in polar solvents, and nonpolar substances dissolve in nonpolar solvents.
b) Hexane: Graphite is also insoluble in hexane. Hexane is a nonpolar solvent, and graphite is also nonpolar. While like dissolves like, graphite's strong intermolecular forces between layers make it very difficult to separate and dissolve.
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