What characteristic do tails of surfactant molecules possess?

The correct answer is lipophilic, which describes the tails of surfactant molecules. Surfactants, or surface-active agents, are molecules that contain both hydrophilic (water-attracting) and lipophilic (oil-attracting) components. The structure of a surfactant typically features a hydrophilic head and one or more hydrophobic tails that are lipophilic.

The lipophilic tails are essential because they help surfactants to interact with oils and fats, allowing them to break down the surface tension between oil and water. This property is crucial in various applications, including cleaning products and cosmetic formulations, where the ability to emulsify and disperse oils in water is desired.

In contrast, characteristics like being hydrophilic refer to the water-attracting end of the surfactant. While the hydrophilic portion aids in solubility in water, the lipophilic tail is what makes the molecule effective for interacting with oily substances. Solubility indicates how well a substance can dissolve in a solvent, which does not directly relate to the specific function of surfactant tails. Insufficiency wouldn't apply here, as the lipophilic tails are effectively soluble in non-polar solvents, which is