Materials that absorb water are described as what?

• A. Hydrophobic
• B. Hygroscopic
• C. Anhydrous
• D. Hydrophilic

Answer: (D)

Hydrophilic describes materials that attract water and readily take it up. This happens because these substances have polar interactions and hydrogen bonding with water, allowing water to diffuse into or adhere to the material and often cause swelling or dissolution.

Hydrophobic is the opposite—water-repellent and poorly wetted. Anhydrous means containing no water. Hygroscopic is a related idea: it refers to substances that absorb moisture from the surrounding air, which is moisture uptake from vapor rather than directly absorbing liquid water. For the general idea of absorbing water, hydrophilic is the best fit.