Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Hydrophilicity
The adjective hydrophilic describes something that 'likes water' (from Greek hydros = water; philos = friend).
A hydrophilic molecule or portion of a molecule is one that typically is electrically polarized and capable of H-bonding, enabling it to dissolve more readily in water than in oil or other "non-polar" solvents.
Hydrophilic molecules can establish hydrogen bonds with water molecules (H2O). This is favourable by thermodynamics and makes these molecules soluble in water.
Compare: hydrophobic
Last updated: 07-30-2005 17:00:39
10-26-2009 08:16:03
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The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details