Which of the following statements best describes the phrase "like dissolves like." ? a. the only true solutions are formed when water dissolves a nonpolar solute. b. the only true solutions are formed when water dissolves a polar solute. c. a solvent and a solute with similar intermolecular forces will easily make a solution. d. a solvent will dissolve a solute that has a similar mass.

option "c" is the correct statement;

a solvent and a solute with similar intermolecular forces will easily make a solution.

Explanation:

The amount of solute, which can dissolve in a given amount of solvent depends on the nature of the solute and solvent. In general, "Like dissolves like", describes the general principle of solubility (i.e. polar solvents dissolve polar solutes and non-polar solvents dissolve non-polar solutes)

C. a solvent and a solute with similar intermolecular forces will easily make a solution.

Explanation:

Let’s take the example of water and methanol. Both water and methanol have intermolecular hydrogen bond formation. Thus methanol dissolves in water because it can both donate and accept hydrogen bonds with water molecules.  

CH₃-OH….OH₂

The dotted line represents the hydrogen bond.  

Hydrogen bonds are formed when H atom is bound to an electronegative atom such as O, F and N. In methanol and water the O-H bond is polar due to the electronegativity difference between the O and H atoms causing the H and O atoms to gain partial positive and negative charges respectively.  

since the atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus, as we move to the left on the periodic table, the electrostatic pull between the nucleus and the valence electron shell decreases. as we move down a group (vertical column), the valence shell energy level gets further and further from the nucleus.