Which term describes substances that repel water?

The term that describes substances that repel water is "hydrophobic." This term is derived from Greek roots, where "hydro" means water, and "phobic" indicates a fear or aversion. Therefore, hydrophobic substances do not mix well with water and instead tend to separate from it. This property is particularly significant in various fields, including chemistry and biology, as it helps explain behaviors such as oil floating on water, since oil is hydrophobic.

Hydrophilic refers to substances that attract water, meaning they dissolve or mix well in water. This is the opposite of hydrophobic, as these substances enhance the interaction with water rather than repel it.

Mixable generally implies that different substances can be combined to form a uniform solution. While hydrophobic substances do not mix with water, this term doesn't specifically capture the property of repelling water.

Soluble refers to the ability of a substance to dissolve in a solvent, typically water. Hydrophobic substances are typically insoluble in water, further confirming the distinction between hydrophilic and hydrophobic terms.