Question

Why is oil called a hydrophobic substance?
A. Oil is very slippery to the touch.
B. Oil is flammable and water puts out fires.
C. Oil mixes with water only at high temperatures.
D. The chemical nature of oil prevents it from dissolving in water.

Answer 1

The answer is D. The chemical nature of oil prevents it from dissolving in water

Answer 2

Oil is hydrophobic (hydro=water, phobic=phobia i.e. water fearing) because the chemical nature of oil prevents it from dissolving in water.