Oil and water do not mix-- they are called immiscible. Substances that can dissolve in water are called water soluble. Alice Ball found a way to make oil and water mix, by treating the oil with certain alcohols. The alcohols strip away parts of the oil molecule, leaving behind only the useful parts of the oil which happen to be water soluble. This method, the Ball Method, made it much easier for doctors to treat Hansen's disease, and formed the basis for the treatment of many other diseases.
What kinds of things in your kitchen are water soluble? Use this activity (and help from a grown up) to explore water solubility. Don't forget to tell us about your findings on our Community page!
Alice Ball - Is It Water Soluble
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