Science Common Sense

152 - Why do some substances dissolve in water while others don’t?

Imagine water molecules (H2O) are like people holding hands in a circle. Some substances, like sugar or salt, have a special connection with water molecules, so they can easily join hands and mix in. These substances are called 'soluble'.

On the other hand, some substances, like oil or wood, don't mix well with water. This is because their molecules are not comfortable holding hands with water molecules, so they stay separate. These substances are called 'insoluble'.

This happens because of how the molecules of each substance are arranged and how they interact with the water molecules.