Naphthalene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) with the formula C10H8. It is a white solid with a strong, pungent odor. Naphthalene is insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents such as ethyl alcohol, benzene, and ether.

Ethyl alcohol, also known as ethanol, is a simple alcohol with the formula C2H5OH. It is a volatile, flammable liquid with a characteristic odor and taste. Ethyl alcohol is soluble in water and in many organic solvents.

When naphthalene is dissolved in ethyl alcohol, the naphthalene molecules disperse throughout the alcohol molecules. The forces of attraction between the naphthalene molecules and the alcohol molecules are weaker than the forces of attraction between the alcohol molecules themselves. This means that the naphthalene molecules are able to move freely through the alcohol solution.