Nonpolar Substances

Definition

Substances that lack strong electrostatic handles, giving water very little to hold onto and resulting in low solubility.

Without discrete charges, water forms only weak, fleeting interactions with nonpolar substances, which keeps their solubility low. Most atmospheric gases like nitrogen and oxygen are nonpolar, so once dissolved they offer little charge for water to stabilize. Their interactions with the hydrogen-bond network are weak, making their solubility limited and sensitive to temperature and pressure.

Related concepts

Henry’s Law · Dissolved Gases · Polarity

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Part of The Blueprint of Water · 🧪 chemistry