The statement "when a hydroxyl is put in a solution it is polar but does not become charged" refers to the behavior of a hydroxyl group (-OH) when it is dissolved in a solvent, typically water. Let's break down the key concepts: 1. \*\*Polar:\*\* A polar molecule is one that has an uneven distribution of electron density, resulting in partial positive and partial negative charges within the molecule. This polarity arises when atoms with different electronegativities are bonded together, causing electron clouds to be more concentrated around one atom than the other. In the case of a hydroxyl group (-OH), the oxygen atom is more electronegative than the hydrogen atom, leading to a partial negative charge on the oxygen and a partial positive charge on the hydrogen. 2. \*\*Charged:\*\* A charged molecule, also known as an ion, has either gained or lost electrons, resulting in a net positive or negative charge. For example, a positively charged ion is called a cation, and a negatively charged ion is called an anion. In the context of the statement, "when a hydroxyl is put in a solution it is polar but does not become charged," it means that when a hydroxyl group is dissolved in a solution (usually water), its oxygen atom and hydrogen atom maintain their partial charges due to the polarity of the hydroxyl group. However, this does not result in the hydroxyl group gaining or losing electrons to become fully charged ions. Instead, the partial charges on the oxygen and hydrogen atoms interact with the polar solvent molecules (like water), leading to interactions like hydrogen bonding, which are important for various chemical and biological processes. In summary, the hydroxyl group's polarity is retained when it is dissolved in a solution, contributing to its interactions with other molecules, but it does not gain or lose electrons to become fully charged like ions do.