Which term describes substances that tend to repel water?

The term that describes substances that tend to repel water is hydrophobic. This characteristic means that hydrophobic substances do not mix well with water and can often create a barrier against it. This property is significant in various fields, such as chemistry and biology, where the behavior of molecules in the presence of water can affect their interactions, solubility, and biological functions.

Hydrophilic, on the other hand, refers to substances that attract water and can dissolve or interact well with it. Hygroscopic describes substances that have the ability to absorb moisture from the air, while heterogeneous refers to materials that are composed of different components that remain distinct and do not blend into a single phase. Understanding these terms helps clarify how different substances behave in aqueous environments.