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title: "A student adds \\(10 \\text{ mL}\\) of liquid ethanol (\\(\\text{CH}_3\\text{CH}_2\\text{OH}\\)) to a test tube containing \\(10 \\text{ mL}\\) of distilled water (\\(\\text{H}_2\\text{O}\\)). In a second test tube, the student adds \\(10 \\text{ mL}\\) of liquid hexane (\\(\\text{C}_6\\text{H}_{14}\\)) to \\(10 \\text{ mL}\\) of distilled water. Both test tubes are capped, thoroughly shaken, and allowed to stand at \\(25\\ ^\\circ\\text{C}\\). Which of the following best predicts the outcome observed in the test tubes and provides the correct chemical explanation?"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/119619/"
date_modified: "2026-08-21T08:11:49+00:00"
---

# A student adds \(10 \text{ mL}\) of liquid ethanol (\(\text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{OH}\)) to a test tube containing \(10 \text{ mL}\) of distilled water (\(\text{H}_2\text{O}\)). In a second test tube, the student adds \(10 \text{ mL}\) of liquid hexane (\(\text{C}_6\text{H}_{14}\)) to \(10 \text{ mL}\) of distilled water. Both test tubes are capped, thoroughly shaken, and allowed to stand at \(25\ ^\circ\text{C}\). Which of the following best predicts the outcome observed in the test tubes and provides the correct chemical explanation?

A student adds \(10 \text{ mL}\) of liquid ethanol (\(\text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{OH}\)) to a test tube containing \(10 \text{ mL}\) of distilled water (\(\text{H}_2\text{O}\)). In a second test tube, the student adds \(10 \text{ mL}\) of liquid hexane (\(\text{C}_6\text{H}_{14}\)) to \(10 \text{ mL}\) of distilled water. Both test tubes are capped, thoroughly shaken, and allowed to stand at \(25\ ^\circ\text{C}\). Which of the following best predicts the outcome observed in the test tubes and provides the correct chemical explanation?

- **A.** Hexane forms a single homogeneous layer with water because hexane molecules can form hydrogen bonds with water molecules.
- **B.** Ethanol forms a single homogeneous layer with water because ethanol molecules can form hydrogen bonds with water molecules.
- **C.** Ethanol forms two separate layers with water because the nonpolar carbon-hydrogen bonds prevent any favorable interactions with water molecules.
- **D.** Hexane forms a single homogeneous layer with water because dispersion forces between hexane and water molecules are stronger than the hydrogen bonds between water molecules.

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/119619/*