Question

Which of the following is a hydrophobic material?

(A) paper

(B) table salt

(C) wax

(D) sugar

Short answer

(A) The option, “paper,” is false.

(B) The option, “table salt,” is false.

(C) The option, “wax,” is true.

(D)The option, “sugar,” is false.

Step-by-step solution

Hydrophobic Materials

Hydrophobic materials repel water, and hydrophilic materials attract water. Non-polar materials or hydrophobic materials have the least water affinity that makes these molecules water-haters or water-repelling. These materials attract non-polar solvents and other neutral molecules.

Explanation for option ‘(A)’

Paper is a good example of hydrophilic material because numerous hydroxyl groups in cellulose are present in the paper. It is so because hydroxyl groups of cellulose attract water molecules.

Thus, the paper does not refer to the hydrophobic material.

Therefore, the given option is false.

Explanation for option ‘(B)’

Table salt is chemically sodium chloride. It is a polar compound. Water is also a polar molecule, and thus, table salt acts as a hydrophilic material and get dissolves in water easily.

Thus, table salt does not refer to the hydrophobic material.

Therefore, the given option is false.

Explanation for option ‘(C)’

Waxes are composed of long-chained alcohol and fatty acids attached through ester oxygen. These are non-polar substances due to which these substances repel water and are hydrophobic materials.

Thus, wax refers to the hydrophobic material.

Therefore, the given option is true.

Explanation for option ‘(D)’

A bond is present between hydrogen and oxygen atoms which permits a slight positive charge on hydrogen atoms and a smallnegative charge on oxygen. It makes sugar a polar molecule, which is attracted by water and get dissolves in water.

Thus, the sugar does not refer to the hydrophobic material.

Therefore, the given option is false.