Hüdrofoobseid

Hydrophobic compounds, often referred to as "hüdrofoobseid" in Estonian, are substances that repel water. The term "hydrophobic" itself comes from Greek words meaning "water" and "fear." This characteristic arises from the nonpolar nature of these molecules. Water, being a polar solvent, tends to interact favorably with other polar molecules through hydrogen bonding. Nonpolar hydrophobic molecules, however, lack the electric charge distribution that allows for such interactions.

When hydrophobic substances are introduced to water, they tend to aggregate together, minimizing their contact with the surrounding water molecules. This phenomenon is known as hydrophobic effect. It's a crucial driving force in many biological and chemical processes, including the folding of proteins into their three-dimensional structures, the formation of cell membranes, and the separation of oil and water. Examples of hydrophobic materials include oils, fats, waxes, and many types of plastics. Their insolubility in water makes them useful in applications like waterproofing textiles and creating protective coatings.