What factors contribute to the low solubility of alkanes in water?

The low solubility of alkanes in water can be attributed to their low polarity. Alkanes are composed of carbon and hydrogen atoms bonded together through single bonds, forming nonpolar molecules. Water, on the other hand, is a polar solvent due to the significant electronegativity difference between oxygen and hydrogen, which gives water its unique properties and allows it to dissolve many other polar and ionic substances.

When attempting to dissolve substances, the principle of "like dissolves like" applies; polar solvents tend to dissolve polar solutes. Since alkanes are nonpolar, they do not interact favorably with water molecules, which restricts their solubility. The nonpolar nature of alkanes means that they lack the ability to form hydrogen bonds or engage in dipole-dipole interactions with water, further lowering their solubility.

As for the other options, high polarity and the presence of double bonds typically enhance solubility in polar solvents, rather than contribute to low solubility, while presence of functional groups often introduces polarity to molecules, which can increase solubility in polar solvents.