for Teachers for Schools for Enterprise
for Teachers for Schools for Enterprise
Copyright
Course Navigator
What is a Sedative? - Definition & EffectsNext Lesson 

What is Hydrophobic? - Definition & Interactions

Chapter 3 /  Lesson 12   Transcript
Try it risk-free for 30 days

An error occurred trying to load this video.

Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support.

Coming up next: What is a Sedative? - Definition & Effects

You're on a roll. Keep up the good work!

Take Quiz Watch Next Lesson
 Replay
Your next lesson will play in 10 seconds
  • 0:00 Definition of Hydrophobic
  • 1:47 Examples of…
  • 3:19 Lesson Summary
Add to Add to Add to

Want to watch this again later?

Log in or sign up to add this lesson to a Custom Course.

Login or Sign up

Timeline
Autoplay
Autoplay
Speed

Recommended Lessons and Courses for You

Lesson Transcript
Instructor: John Williams
In chemistry, water is considered to be the universal solvent, and materials that are hydrophilic can dissolve in it. Hydrophobic molecules, however, do not dissolve in water. This lesson discusses the characteristics necessary for molecules to be considered hydrophobic.

Introduction

Have you ever heard the phrase 'oil and water don't mix'? Though this phrase is hardly ever used in a scientific setting, the basis behind the old saying is due to chemistry. Indeed, oil does not mix with water and, because of this, it is considered hydrophobic. Let's discuss what it means for a molecule to be hydrophobic, and why this is an important characteristic in chemistry.

Definition of Hydrophobic

The word hydrophobic comes from the Greek roots hydro- (meaning water) and -phobia (meaning fearing or hating). The word hydrophobic describes the fact that nonpolar substances don't combine with water molecules. Let's take a closer look at that definition. Water is a polar molecule, which means that it carries a partial charge between its atoms. Oxygen, as an electronegative atom, draws the electrons of each bond closer to its core, thus creating a more negative charge. Therefore, any materials with a charge, be it negative or positive, will be able to interact with water molecules to dissolve. (Think of how salt dissolves in water. This is due to the charges of the ions sodium and chlorine.)

So essentially, hydrophobic molecules are molecules that do not have a charge, meaning they are non-polar. By lacking a charge, these molecules do not have any charge-to-charge interactions that will allow them to interact with water. Hydrophobic materials often do not dissolve in water or in any solution that contains a largely aqueous (watery) environment. This characteristic of being hydrophobic - or non-polar - is important for many of the molecules found in nature, in other organisms, and even within our own bodies.

Examples of Hydrophobic Molecules and Materials

Waxes

Waxes are practical examples of hydrophobic molecules that are used commercially and biologically because of their abilities to resist interacting with water. For example, if you have ever had your car waxed, you probably noticed that the water would bead up and roll off of the paint afterwards. This is because the applied wax is hydrophobic and will not interact with water. Waxes, in this case, help to keep water away from the surface of the car.

Commercial waxes repel water to cause beading.
water beading

On the other hand, in many biological systems, waxes may be used for other means. Some plants, for example, utilize waxes to prevent water from escaping through evaporation. Many of the succulent plants, such as aloe, produce waxes that allow their tissues to retain water for biological use. Still, the reason these plants are able to do so is the hydrophobicity of the waxes.

Aloe plants use wax to retain water.
Aloe Plant

To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member.
Create your account

Register to view this lesson

Are you a student or a teacher?

Unlock Your Education

See for yourself why 30 million people use Study.com

Become a Study.com member and start learning now.
Become a Member  Back
What teachers are saying about Study.com
Try it risk-free for 30 days
Description

Earning College Credit

Did you know… We have over 160 college courses that prepare you to earn credit by exam that is accepted by over 1,500 colleges and universities. You can test out of the first two years of college and save thousands off your degree. Anyone can earn credit-by-exam regardless of age or education level.

To learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page

Transferring credit to the school of your choice

Not sure what college you want to attend yet? Study.com has thousands of articles about every imaginable degree, area of study and career path that can help you find the school that's right for you.

Research Schools, Degrees & Careers

Get the unbiased info you need to find the right school.

Browse Articles By Category

Browse an area of study or degree level.

Recommended Articles
You are viewing lesson Lesson 12 in chapter 3 of the course:

 Back To Course

Anatomy & Physiology: Tutoring Solution

19 chapters | 330 lessons

Ch 3. Biochemistry for Anatomy & Physiology:...
Ch 4. Basic Anatomy and Cell Biology:...

What is Hydrophobic? - Definition & Interactions Related Study Materials

Create an account to start this course today
Try it risk-free for 30 days!
Create An Account

Explore our library of over 75,000 lessons

Browse by subject
Support