Question

concept check
which of the following is false when ethanol (c₂h₅oh) dissolves in water?
a. the intermolecular forces (dispersion forces and hydrogen bonds) between ethanol molecules are broken.
b. some hydrogen bonds between water molecules are broken.
c. new hydrogen bonds form between the water molecules and the ethanol molecules.
d. the formation of the solution occurs step - by - step.

Explanation:

• For option A: When ethanol dissolves in water, the intermolecular forces (dispersion and H - bonds) between ethanol molecules must be broken to allow mixing, so A is true.
• For option B: To accommodate ethanol molecules, some H - bonds between water molecules are broken, so B is true.
• For option C: Ethanol (with - OH group) and water (with - OH group) can form new H - bonds between them, so C is true.
• For option D: The formation of a solution (like ethanol in water) is a spontaneous process and occurs simultaneously (not step - by - step) as the breaking of old intermolecular forces and formation of new ones happen at the same time during mixing. So D is false.

Answer:

D. The formation of the solution occurs step - by - step