Why are lower members of aldehydes easily miscrible with water?

Explanation

### Step-by-Step Solution

1. **Understanding Aldehydes**: Aldehydes are organic compounds that contain a carbonyl group (C=O) with the general formula RCHO, where R is a hydrocarbon chain. The carbonyl group is polar due to the difference in electronegativity between carbon and oxygen.

2. **Polarity of the Carbonyl Group**: In lower aldehydes (those with up to 4 carbon atoms), the carbonyl group is polar. The carbon atom in the carbonyl group has a partial positive charge (δ+) while the oxygen atom has a partial negative charge (δ-). This polarity is crucial for interactions with water.

3. **Hydrogen Bonding**: Water (H2O) is also a polar molecule. The oxygen atom in water carries a partial negative charge, while the hydrogen atoms carry partial positive charges. This allows water molecules to form hydrogen bonds with the polar carbonyl group of the aldehyde.

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