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Hydrophobicity for Dummies

noun

pronunciation: ,haɪdrəfoʊ'bɪsɪti

What does Hydrophobicity really mean?

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Hey there! So, I know that sometimes learning new words can be a little tricky, but don't worry, I'm here to help you understand what "hydrophobicity" means.

Okay, let's break it down step by step. First, you might be wondering what "hydrophobic" means. Well, "hydro" comes from the Greek word for water, and "phobic" means afraid. So if we put those together, "hydrophobic" means afraid or repelled by water.

Now, "hydrophobicity" is just a noun form of "hydrophobic." It's a way to describe how something behaves or reacts when it comes into contact with water. Some things, like oil or wax, are hydrophobic because they don't mix with water. Instead, they kind of float on top or form little beads.

Imagine you have a drop of water and a drop of oil. They don't like each other, right? They're like enemies. The water drop wants to stick with other water drops, and the oil drop wants to stick with other oil drops. It's like they can't stand to be together. That's hydrophobicity in action!

But here's where it gets even more interesting. Hydrophobicity isn't just about oil and water. It can also apply to living things, like plants and animals. Have you ever noticed how some animals, like ducks or otters, have waterproof fur or feathers? Well, that's because their fur or feathers are hydrophobic. This helps them stay nice and dry even when they're swimming in water.

So, hydrophobicity is all about how things interact with water, whether it's inorganic substances or living organisms. It's like a superpower that some things have to repel or avoid water.

I hope that helps you understand what "hydrophobicity" means! If you have any more questions or want to explore this topic further, feel free to ask. Remember, learning new words is a journey, and we're in it together!

Revised and Fact checked by William Taylor on 2023-10-29 10:50:24

Hydrophobicity In a sentece

Learn how to use Hydrophobicity inside a sentece

  • A raincoat is hydrophobic because it doesn't let water pass through it. The water slides right off due to the raincoat's hydrophobicity.
  • When you pour oil into water, they don't mix because oil is hydrophobic, meaning it repels water.
  • Some plants have leaves with hydrophobic surfaces. This helps the leaves repel water, keeping them dry during rain.
  • A waterproof phone case has hydrophobic properties, which means it doesn't allow water to enter and damage the phone.
  • If you have a hydrophobic marker and accidentally spill water on the paper you drew on, the marker lines will remain intact because the ink repels water.

Hydrophobicity Hypernyms

Words that are more generic than the original word.