Nonpolar Solvent

Definition

A nonpolar solvent refers to a liquid substance that does not possess any significant electrical charge separation or polarity. Nonpolar solvents do not readily interact with polar compounds but can dissolve other nonpolar substances.

Related terms

Polarity:

A measure of how unequal the distribution of electrical charge is within a molecule. It determines whether a compound is polar or nonpolar.

Solubility:

The ability of one substance (solute) to dissolve in another substance (solvent). In this case, we are referring to how well compounds dissolve in nonpolar solvents.

Intermolecular Forces:

The attractive forces that occur between molecules. In the case of nonpolar solvents, weak intermolecular forces play a role in their inability to interact with polar compounds.