Hydrophobic Effect

The hydrophobic effect is a process where nonpolar molecules or parts of molecules tend to cluster together in water because they do not mix well with it. Water molecules prefer to be near each other, forming a network, so when nonpolar substances are present, water pushes them together to minimize their surface contact. This clustering reduces disruption to the water’s structure and leads to phenomena such as the formation of cell membranes and protein folding, where hydrophobic parts shield themselves from water by hiding inside the structure. Essentially, it's nature’s way of organizing non-water-loving substances to maintain stability in aqueous environments.