Which solvent, water or hexane (C6H14), would you choose to dissolve each of the following?1. NaCl2. HF3. Octane4. (NH4) 2SO4

Water for;

(a) NaCl

(b) HF

(c) (NH₄) ₂SO₄

Hexane for;

(a) Octane

Explanation:

In chemistry there is a Rue of Thumb, "Like Dissolves Like" according to which polar compounds will dissolve in polar solvents and non-polar compounds will dissolve in non-polar solvents.

In given statement two solvents are given.

(1) Water: Water is a polar compound. It has a polar bond and a bent shape, hence has a net dipole moment.

(2) Hexane: Hexane is nonpolar because the electronegativity difference between the carbon atom and hydrogen atom is very less i. e. 0.4.

Therefore, polar solutes like NaCl (ionic), HF (highly polar) and (NH₄) ₂SO₄ (ionic compound) will dissolve in water and Octane (C₈H₁₈ nonpolar) will dissolve in hexane respectively.