Hydrofoobisuus
Hydrofoobisuus, often translated as hydrophobicity or water-repelling, describes the physical property of a molecule that is seemingly repelled by water. In simpler terms, a hydrophobic molecule or surface does not readily mix with or dissolve in water. This phenomenon is primarily driven by the low polarity of the substance in question. Water is a highly polar solvent, meaning its molecules have a slight positive charge at one end and a slight negative charge at the other. These charges allow water molecules to form strong attractions with other polar molecules and ions, a process known as solvation.
Hydrophobic substances, on the other hand, are typically nonpolar, meaning their electric charges are distributed evenly.
Examples of hydrophobic substances include oils, fats, and many organic molecules like hydrocarbons. In biological systems,