What is Critical Micelle Concentration?
Certain molecules may be said to contain two distinct components, differing in their affinity for solutes. The part of the molecule which has an affinity for polar solutes, such as water, is said to be hydrophilic. The part of the molecule which has an affinity for non-polar solutes, such as hydrocarbons, is said to be hydrophobic. Molecules containing both types of components are said to be amphiphilic. hydrophobic hydrophilic Amphiphilic Molecule Such molecules display distinct behavior when interacting with water. The polar part of the molecule seeks to interact with water while the non-polar part shuns interaction with water. There are two ways in which such a molecule achieve both these states. An amphiphilic molecule can arrange itself at the surface of the water such that the polar part interacts with the water and the non-polar part is held above the surface( either in the air or in a non-polar liquid)as shown below. The presence of these molecules on the surface disrupts the c
