Hydrophilic
Definition
Hydrophilic substances are those that have an affinity for water, meaning they can mix with or dissolve in water.
Analogy
Hydrophilic substances are like social butterflies at a party - they love to mingle and mix with others, especially water.
Related terms
Hydrophobic: These substances repel or fail to mix with water. They're the wallflowers of the molecular world, preferring to keep their distance from water.
Polar Molecule: A molecule that has a net dipole as a result of opposing charges. Water is a polar molecule and tends to attract other polar or charged particles (like hydrophilic substances).
Solvent: This is a substance that dissolves another substance (solute). Water is known as the 'universal solvent' because it can dissolve many different types of molecules, especially those that are hydrophilic.
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