Find free energy cost for exposing a hydrophobic molecule


Water molecules around a hydrophobic molecule are (more) structured in the sense that their multiplicity W reduces from 6 to 3 (at or around room temperature). (a) What is the entropy change of such a water molecule. What is the corresponding free energy change? (b) Suppose n is the number of water molecules adjacent to a hydrophobic molecule. What is the total free energy change due to water structuring? (c) Assume that 10 water molecules cover an area of 1nm2 around the hydrophobic molecule. What is the free energy cost for exposing a hydrophobic molecule per area? Answer this in units of kBT/nm2. (d) Using your results in (a) or (b), explain why oil and water do not mix (at room temperature).

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Physics: Find free energy cost for exposing a hydrophobic molecule
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