Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of hydrophobic substances?

Hydrophobic substances are characterized by their inability to interact effectively with water. This characteristic arises because hydrophobic substances tend to repel water molecules, resulting from the lack of polarity in their molecular structure. They are typically non-polar, which means they do not have a significant separation of electrical charge, causing them to resist forming hydrogen bonds with water.

The correct response indicates that hydrophobic substances do not dissolve well in water. Rather, they are more likely to mix or dissolve in non-polar solvents, such as oils, due to similar non-polar characteristics. Essentially, the molecular structure of hydrophobic substances makes them incompatible with polar solvents like water, hence their tendency to avoid it.

Understanding these traits helps clarify why they are classified as hydrophobic and highlights the importance of molecular polarity in determining solubility.