Which of the following is an example of a polar solvent?

Which of the following is an example of a polar solvent?

• A. Gasoline
• B. Crude oil
• C. Alcohol
• D. Kerosene

Answer: (C)

Polarity of solvents determines what kinds of solutes they can dissolve. An alcohol is polar because it has a hydroxyl group (-OH) where oxygen is highly electronegative, creating a significant dipole and the ability to form hydrogen bonds. This polarity allows alcohols to stabilize and dissolve polar substances, including many ionic compounds, and they often mix with water. In contrast, gasoline, crude oil, and kerosene are mostly hydrocarbons with nonpolar C–H and C–C bonds, giving them very low polarity and poor ability to dissolve polar solutes. So, alcohol is the polar solvent among the options.

Polarity of solvents determines what kinds of solutes they can dissolve. An alcohol is polar because it has a hydroxyl group (-OH) where oxygen is highly electronegative, creating a significant dipole and the ability to form hydrogen bonds. This polarity allows alcohols to stabilize and dissolve polar substances, including many ionic compounds, and they often mix with water. In contrast, gasoline, crude oil, and kerosene are mostly hydrocarbons with nonpolar C–H and C–C bonds, giving them very low polarity and poor ability to dissolve polar solutes. So, alcohol is the polar solvent among the options.