Nonpolar molecules—have no positive or negative areas

·      Oils are made of hydrocarbons; they share electrons equally

·      Nonpolar solvents dissolve nonpolar solutes

·      Many nonpolar solvents are toxic (ex. paint thinner)

Polar molecules—have positively and negatively charged areas

·     Polar solvents (ex. water) dissolve polar (or ionic) solutes

Soap—has a polar end and a nonpolar end

·      Nonpolar end dissolves oils, polar end dissolves in water and allows oil to be washed away