Hydrophobic Molecules
Detailed Explanation of Hydrophobic Molecules
Hydrophobic molecules are substances that do not interact well with water. The term “hydrophobic” literally means “water-fearing”. These molecules do not dissolve in water and tend to separate from it, forming layers or droplets.
1. Why Are They "Water-Fearing"?
To understand hydrophobic molecules, we need to understand a bit about water itself.
Water is a polar molecule, meaning it has a partial positive charge on one end (near the hydrogen atoms) and a partial negative charge on the other (near the oxygen atom). This polarity allows water molecules to form strong hydrogen bonds with each other and with other polar molecules.
Hydrophobic molecules are nonpolar. They do not have positive or negative ends. Because they lack charge, water molecules cannot form hydrogen bonds with them. As a result, water pushes these molecules away, or they group together to minimize contact with water.





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