Which term describes water-hating, nonpolar compounds that do not interact well with water?

• A. Nonpolar
• B. Hydrophobic
• C. Hydrophilic
• D. Polar

Answer: (B)

The concept here is how polarity affects interaction with water. Water is a polar molecule that forms hydrogen bonds, so substances that lack polarity can’t engage in those favorable interactions. That water-repelling behavior is described by the term hydrophobic. While nonpolar describes a lack of polarity, hydrophobic specifically captures the idea of avoiding water. Substances that are hydrophilic or polar interact well with water, which is the opposite of what’s described here. Oils are a common example of hydrophobic materials.