1.

ABSTRACT:

The experiment which is to prepare the soap and detergent had been conducted on 20th
May 2013. This experiment is conducted to prepare soap and compare its properties to that of a
synthetic detergent. Basically, the experiment used to prepare the soap and thus, to compare the
properties between the soap that had been prepared early with the synthetic detergent in the form
of precipitation, emulsification and cleaning abilities. Based on the experiment that had been
conducted, it can be concluded that the soap has the properties of emulsifying oil whereas the
detergent has not. This is because the soap has the abilities of forming precipitates and it can be
seen clearly in the soap solution while doing the experiment. Whereas the detergent has not
forms precipitates at all. Thus, the experiment is completed and successfully conducted.
2. Introduction
Soaps and detergents are used frequently in our daily day our life. We use them in many
kind of ways such as wash hand, clean clothes, bathing and other. But we still do not paying
attention on how they work and the background of them. First of all, it is hard to explain who
was first invented the soap.

Some hypothesize believe that the soap had been invented by the Babylonian in 2800 BC
where soap have been excavated in clay cylinders and the Phoenicians around 600 BC. By 1500
BC Egyptians medical scrolls recommend a soap made from alkaline salt and animals and
vegetables oil for skin conditions. In the early history, soap was used for the purpose of cleaning
textile fibres such as wool and cotton in preparation for the dyeing process instead of personal
hygiene.

In todays progressive world of science and technology, soap is manufactured much like it was
back then where the fats and oils are technically heated with the presence of strong base which
commonly used is sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide to produce fatty acid salts and
glycerol in a process termed as saponification process. As a matter of fact, the salt of a fatty acid
is the soap, which is a soft and waxy material that brush up the ability for cleaning purpose of
water. While processing of soap, a positive ion, usually Na+ or K+ and a negative ion usually the
anions of long-chained carboxylic acids yielded by the hydrolysis of either animals or vegetables
fats.

Soap is a generic term for the sodium or potassium salts of long-chain organic acids (fatty acids)
made from naturally occurring esters in animal fats and vegetable oils. All organic acids contain
the RCO2H functional group, where R is shorthand notation for methyl, CH3-, ethyl CH3CH2-,
propyl, CH3CH2CH2-, or more complex hydrocarbon chains called alkyl groups. Chemists use
the R shorthand notation because these groups can be very large and the hydrocarbon chain has
little effect on the compound's chemical reactivity. All esters contain the RCO2R functional
group.

The R groups in soaps are hydrocarbon chains that generally contain 12 to 18 carbon atoms.
Sodium fatty acids such as lauric (vegetable oil), palmitic (palm oil), and stearic (animal fat)
acids are just a few examples of soaps.
CH3(CH2)10COONa sodium laurate

CH3(CH2)16COONa sodium stearate

The hydrocarbon chain in soaps may contain saturated (no double bonds) or unsaturated
(contains double bonds) chains. Sodium salts are usually solid therefore; most bars of soap are of
sodium salts. Potassium salts are the basis of liquid soaps, shaving creams, and greases. Fats and
vegetable oils are triglycerides. Triglycerides are esters derived from three fatty acids. A
triglyceride made from three lauric acid molecules is shown in Figure 7-1.

Saponification is the basic hydrolysis of an ester producing a carboxylic acid salt and an alcohol
(Eq.7-1). A lone pair of electrons on the OH- is attracted to the partially positively charged C
atom in the C=O bond in the ester (Eq.3-1). The C-OR' bond breaks generating a carboxylic acid
(RCO2H) and an alcohol (R'OH). In the presence of NaOH carboxylic acids are converted to
their sodium salts (RCO2-Na+).

When a triglyceride is saponified, three fatty acid salts (soaps) and glycerol are produced as
shown in Equation 7-2. The R groups in the triglyceride may or may not have the same chain
length (same number of carbons). Thus, different types of soaps may be produced from the
saponification of a particular triglyceride.

Figure 0-1: A Triglyceride molecule made from lauric acid and glycerol
(Equation 0-1)

(Equation 0-2)
3. Objectives of the Experiment

To prepare a soap and a synthetic detergent. Besides, the experiment is conducted to

study and compare the properties between the soap and synthetic detergent in the form of
precipitation, emulsification and also cleaning abilities.
4. Theory

From lab engenerring chemical lab:-

Soap is a mixture of sodium salts of various naturally occuring fatty acids. Air buubles
added to a molten soap will decrease the density of the soap thus it will float on the water. If the
fatty acid salt has potassium rather than a sodium, a softer lather is the result. This is because the
bar soap produced in the presence of sodium hydroxide while the liquid soap is formed in the
presence of potassium hydroxide.Soap is the salt of a weak acid. Most organic acids arc weak
acids. Consequently, hydrolysis occurs to some extent when soap dissolves in water. Soap
solutions tend to be slightly alkaline (basic) due to partial hydrolysis of the acid . Theorytically,
the soap is produced by a saponification or basic hydrolysis reaction of a fat or oil. Currently,
sodium carbonate or sodium hydroxide is used to neutralize the fatty acid and convert it to the
salt.

(Equation 4-3)

The cleansing action of soaps results from two effects. Soaps are wetting agents that
reduce the surface tension of water, allowing the water molecules to encounter the dirty object.
They are also emulsifying agents. "Dirt" frequently consists of a grease or oil along with other
organic species. In general, organic compounds are nonpolar. Water is a polar species. These two
substances will not dissolve in each other because of their dissimilar characteristics (the "Like
Dissolves Like" rule). Soaps cross the boundary between polar and nonpolar because they
contain a polar hydrophobic (water-hating) end and a polar hydrophilic (water loving) end as
shown in figure (4-2).
Figure 4-2: a) A molecular line drawing and b) a skeletal representation of sodium stearate.

Soaps have both polar and nonpolar molecular regions, hence they are soluble in both
polar and nonpolar species. The hydrophobic (nonpolar) portion of soap is soluble in non polar
compounds like grease and oils and the hydrophilic (polar) end dissolves in water. Soap
molecules surround grease and oils and break them up into microscopic droplets, which can
remain suspended in water. These suspended microscopic droplets are called micelles (Figure 4-
3). Micelles contain very small amounts of oil or grease in their center. Thus oil or grease
dissolved in water forms an emulsion; a form of suspension in water.

Figure 4-3: Formation of micelle

 Water supplies in certain areas are acidic as a result of acid rain or pollution, or "hard"
due to dissolved mineral content. Both acidic and "hard" water reduce the cleansing action of
soap. Soap is the salt of a weak acid and in the presence of a stronger acid, the sodium salt is
converted to an insoluble organic acid (Equation 4-4).

(Equation 4-4)

"Hard water" contains dissolved Ca2+, Mg2+ and Fe 3+

ions from the minerals that the water
passes over. Normally, soaps made from sodium and potassium fatty acid salts are soluble in
water. However, in the presence of these metal ions, the Na+ and K+ convert to insoluble Ca2+,
Mg2+ and Fe 3+ salts (Equation 4-5).

(Equation 4-5)

In either acidic or "hard" water, the soluble soaps form insoluble salts which leave
scummy rings on bathtubs and black areas on shirt collars. The cleansing ability of soap is
reduced because soap molecules are removed from solution. There are several techniques used to
circumvent the problems generated by hard water. Water can be "softened" via removing hard
water ions from solution using ion exchange techniques or by adding water-softening agents,
such as sodium phosphate (Na3PO4) or sodium carbonate (Na2CO3). Water-softening agents react
with the Ca2+, Mg2+ and Fe 3+ removing them from water (Equations 4-6 and 4-7) and preventing
the reaction of these ions with soap (Equations 4-4 and 4-5).
 3Ca2+(aq) + 2 PO43- (aq) Ca3(PO4)2 (S) (Equation 4-6)

Mg2+(aq) + CO32- (aq) MgCO3 (S) (Equation 4-7)

Thus Syndets were developed to overcome the soap hard water problem. Syndets
differ from soaps in that the nonpolar fatty acids groups are replaced with alkyl or aryl sulfonic
acids (ROSO3H). The alkyl or aryl sulfonic acids have long hydrophobic carbon chains and a
hydrophilic sulfonate end. The difference in polar groups is one of the key distinctions between a
soap and a synthetic detergent. Syndets form micelles and cleanse in the same manner as soaps.
Two examples of synthetic detergents are shown in Figure (4-8).

Figure 4-8: Examples of synthetics detergents

Sulfonic acids are stronger than carboxylic acids, hence Syndets do not precipitate in
acidic solutions. Furthermore, alkyl and aryl sulfonates do not form insoluble salts in the
presence of typical hard water ions. Thus, synthetic detergents remain soluble in both acidic and
"hard" water.

Overall theory in these experiment is in the other words, soap is a generic term for the
sodium or potassium salts of long-chain organic acid which is fatty acid that are made from
naturally occuring esters in animal fats and also the vegetable oils. All organic acid contain the
RCOOH functional group, where R is the shorthen notation for the complex hydrocarbon which
famously known as alkyl group. The term for R is used because the group can be very large and
for the addition for each chain has a litter effect for the chemical reactivity. While for the ester it
contain RCOOR functional group.

A soap is the sodium or potassium salt of a long chain fatty acid. The fatty acid usually
contain 12 to 18 carbon atoms which can be expressed as term R.Furthermore, the hydrocarbon
chain in the soap may contain saturated and unsaturated chains. Sodium salts are usually solid
therefore, most bars of soap are sodium salts. While potassium salts are the basis of liquid soaps,
shaving cream, and greases. Triglycerides is formed by the combination of three molecules of
fatty acid which are fats and vegetable oils. Triglycerides included in the ester group which is
RCOOR which derived from three fatty acids. A triglyceride made from three lauric acid
molecules which shown as below:

General overall hydrolysis reaction:

Fat + NaOH glycerol + sodium salts/ fatty acid

Figure 4-9 - The Hydrolysis of Triglycerides

 For the figure above, it formed by the saponification of a triglyceride with the sodium
hydroxide. Actually, saponification is a process that produce soap usually from fats and lye. In
the other words, saponification involves base hydrolysis of triglycerides, which are esters of fatty
acid to produce a product which is sodium salt od a carboxylate. Besides, saponification
processes also produce glycerol.

The mechanism by which esters are cleaved by base involves nucleophilic acyl
substitution. Then the hydroxide anion, OH- adds to attacks the carbonyl group of the ester. Then
the intermediate product is formed is orthoester.

Figure 4-10 - The Mechanism of Ester (1)

At this stage, the alkoxide is more basic than the conjugate base of the carboxylic acid,
and hence the proton is transfer rapidly and directly it form a stabe carboxylic acid compound.

Figure 4-11 - The Mechanism of Ester (2)

After that, it continue by reaction between the RCOOH with the alkoxide anion and then
formed a product of carboxylic anion and a alcohol. But with the presence of NaOH, the
carboxylic acida are converted to their sodium salts which is RCOO-Na+.
 The saponification of triglyceride produced 3 fatty acid which is soap and the glycerol
but the alkyl group in the triglyceride may or may not have the same chain length which known
as the number of carbons.

Figure 4-12 - The Hydrolysis of Triglycerides

Since the cleansing action of soaps depend upon the fact that they ionize readily in
water,.thus, the soap would no longer clean and emulsify the oil and dirt. This is because due to
the hard water contain metal cations such as Ca2+ and Mg2+ that will react with the charged ends
of the soaps and directly form the insoluble salts.

As the conclusion, the synthetic detergent were developed to overcome this kind of
problems. The difference in polar groups is one of the key distinctions between a soap and a
synthetic detergent. The synthetic detergent form micelles and cleanse in the same manner as
soaps but if it released into rivers and lakes it can cause explosive growth of algae. Thus, it can
cause decay of the aquatic ecosystem due to deoxygenation from the decomposition of dead
algae.

A micelle is a spherical shape that is formed resulting from the negatively charged heads
on the soap molecules. They then orient between them, where the non polar tails rearrange
towards the centre of the micelle and then the hydrophilic site facing the water. In the presence
of oil and dirt, the non-polar head interact with them and gathered it to the centre of the micelle.
In fact, this is how mechanicms the soap works. When rinsed with water, the micelle together
qith the dirt washed away. Soap is theoretically acting as an emulsifying agent, where emulsion
is the dispersion of a liquid in asecond immiscible liquid.

Figure 4-13 - The Micelle of the Soap

The structure below is a sodium lauryl sulfonate that contain in the synthetic detergent. In facts
the sulfonic acids are more stronger than carboxylic acids, hence the synthetic detergent does not
form any precipitate in the acidic solution. Besides, in the hard water, the detergent do not form
insoluble salts compare with the soap. As a conclusion, the synthetic detergents remain soluble in
both acidic and hard water.

Figure 4-14 - the structure for synthetic detergent

5. Apparatus and Material

Reagent Apparatus

Vegetable oil Magnetic stirer

Ethanol magnetic stirring bar

Sodium Hydroxide 250-mL Erlenmeyer flask

Saturated Sodium Chloride (NaCl) Vacuum Filtration Apparatus

Synthetic detergent (dynamo) Beaker

Mineral oil Test tube with racks

1% CaCl2 solution Cloth strip

1% MgCl2 solution Measuring cylinder

Dropper
1% FeCl2 solution
Glass rod
Tomato Sauce Ph meter electronic
Retord stand and Clamp
Distilled water
Petric dish
1M hydrochloric acid Mass weight electronic
Erlenmeyer Flask
Ice bath

The figure in shown in appendix.

6. Methodology

6.1 .Part A Soap preparation

1. 12.5 ml of vegetable is placed in a 250 ml Erlenmeyer flask. 10mL of ethanol and

12.5mL of 6 M sodium hydroxide solution are added to the flask. The mixture is stirred
using a stirring bar to mix the contents of the flask. The alcohol is carefully smelled by
wafting it towards our nose.
2. The 250 mL of flask is heated in a 600mL boiling water bath.

Figure 6.1heating the mixture in the boiling water bath

3. The mixture is stirred continuously during the heating process to prevent the mixture
from foaming. If the mixture should foam to the point of nearly overflowing, the flask is
removed from the boiling water until the foaming subsides, then the heating is continued.
The mixture is heated for 20-30 minutes or until the alcohol odor is no longer detectable.

4. The paste like mixture is removed from the water bath and the flask is cooled in a ice
bath fro 10-15 minutes.
 Figure 6.2-Cooled in ice bath.
5. While the flask is cooling, the vacuum filtration apparatus is assembled as shown in the
figure below. The vacuum filtration secured to a ring stand with a utility clamp to prevent
the apparatus from toppling over.

Figure 6.3- the vacuum filtration apparatus

6. A piece of filter paper is weighed to the nearest 0.001g and the mass is recorded. The
filter paper is placed inside the Buchner funnel. The paper is moistered with water so that
it fits flush in the bottom of the funnel.
7. Once the flask has cooled, 150 mL of saturated sodium chloride NaCl solution is added to
the flask to salt out the soap.
8. The water at the aspirator is slowly turned on. The mixture from the flask is poured into
the Buchner funnel. Once all of the liquid has filtered through the funnel, the soap was
 washed with 10 mL of ice-cold water. The suction filtration is continued until all of the
water is removed from the soap.
9. The soap is removed from the funnel and pressed between two paper towels to dry it. The
filter paper and dried soap are weighed and the mass is recorded to the nearest 0.001 g
and the mass of the soap determined by difference and then the mass is then recorded.

Figure 6.4 :-Weight using the weight electronic lab.

6.2 PART B: COMPARISON OF SOAP AND DETERGENT PROPERTIES

(PRECIPITATION AND EMULSIFYING )

1. A stock soap solution is prepared by dissolving 2g of the prepared soap in 100 mL of

boiling distiiled water. The mixture is stirred until the soap has dissolved and the solution
is allowed to cool.
2. Step 1 is repeated using 2 g of synthetic detergent. When both solution are cool, the pH
of each solution is determined using pH meter.
3. Three test tubes are labelled as test 1, 2 and 3. 4 drops of minerals oil are added to each
test tube. 5 mL of distilled water is added to test tube 1. 5 mL of stock solution is added
to test 2 and 5 mL of synthetic detergent is added to test tube 3.
4. Each solution is mixed by shaking and let stand for three to five minutes. The solution, if
any that emulsifies the oil by forming a single layer is noted.
 5. The mixtures are poured into the Waste Container. The three test tubes are cleaned and
dried.
6. Three more test tubes are labelled as test tube 1,2 and 3. 2mL of stock solution is placed
in each of the three test tubes. 2mL 1% CaCl2 solution is added to test 1. 2mL of 1%
MgCl2 solution is added to test tube 2 while 2mL of 1% FeCl2 solution is added to test
tube 3. Each test tube is shaken to mix the solutions. The observations are recorded.
7. 4 drops of mineral oils are added to each of the test tubes in step 6. Each test tube is
shaken to mix the solutions and the solutions are left to stand for three to five minutes.
The solutions, if any, that emulsifies the oil by forming a single layer is noted.
8. Step 6-7 is repeated using 2 mL of stock detergent solution. The solutions that
precipitated are observed.
9. The solution, if any, that emulsifies the oil by forming a single layer is noted.
10. The mixtures are poured into the Waste Container. The test tube are cleaned and dried.
11. 5 mL of stock soap solution is poured in cine clean test tube and 5 mL of stock detergent
solution in a second test tube. 1M HCl is added one drop at a time to both solution until
the pH in each tube is equal to 3. The number of drops of acid added to each mixture is
counted. Any precipitate formed in either mixture is observed.
12. 1 drop of mineral oil is added to each test tube in step 11. Each test tube is shaken to mix
the solution. Any emulsification formed in either mixture is observed.

6.3 PART C: COMPARISON OF CLEANING ABILITIES OF SOAP AND

DETERGENT.

1. The three beakers are cleaned, dried and labeled. Then 20 mL of stock soap solution that
from step 1 is placed in the first beaker. After that, 20 mL of stock detergent solution
from step 2 is placed in the second beaker. 20 mL of tap water is added in a third beaker.
2. Three cloth test strips that have been soaked in tomato souce are obtained and then one
strip is placed in each of the beakers. Repeatedly, each solution is stirred with a stirrer bar
for 5 minutes.
3. The cloth strips is removed from the soap and detergent solution and then the excess
water is squeezed out. Each cloth strip is observed and compared to determine their
relative cleanliness.
7. Results and Calculations

7.1 A. Soap preparation

Mass of Filter (g) 0.5938

Mass of filter paper + soap (g) 71.4169

Mass of soap recovered (g) 24.812

7.2 B. Comparison of soap and detergent properties

Test (1) : The comparison of the pH value of soap and detergent.

Brand name of synthetic detergent Dynamo

pH of soap solution 11.85

pH of synthetics detergent solution 8.90

Name of the sample Soap prepared Dynamo

Mass 2.0 g 2.0 g

pH value 11.85 8.90

Conclusion: The soap that had been prepared is more basic that the
detergent because the pH value of soap is more than the detergent

Based on the result above, between soap and detergent, the pH value of detergent is 8.90
while the soap is 11.85. Thus, the soap prepared is more basic compare to the detergent.
 Test (2) : The comparison of emulsification of soap and detergent

Before reaction with minerals oil and test After reaction reaction with minerals
solution oil and test solution

Name Test 1 Test 2 Test 3

Sample Distilled water Stock soap Stock detergent

Test 4 drops mineral oils + 5 mL 4 drops mineral oils + 5 mL 4drops mineral oils
distilled water stock soap + 5 mL synthetic
detergent

Observation The solution 2 layer form. The The solution become half The solution is
bottom layer part is colorless water cloudy and singles any layer. white solution form
meanwhile upper part layer is oil. and single layer.

Emulsification No Yes Yes

 Emulsification can be described as the solution that form is in a single layer. Thus, based
on the test above, the emulsification had occured in the stock soap solution and stock
detergent. . While the distilled water do not occur any emulsification because there are
oil layer at the upper part of the solution samples.

System Emulsification Occurred

Distilled water NO

Soap YES

detergent YES

7.3 Hard and acidic

Test (3) : The comparison of properties of soap and detergent in hard solution

The solution of soap solution with 1) Cacl2, The solution of detergent solution with 1)
2) MgCl2 and 3) FeCl2. Cacl2, 2) MgCl2 and 3) FeCl2.
System Precipitate Oil emulsified

Soap Synthetic Soap Synthetic detergent

detergent

2 mL CaCl2 + 4 Colourless with No,colour Yes Form single layer.

drops mineral oils white precipitate change to pale
blue

2 mL MgCl2 + 4 Milky and have a No,colour No Form single layer.

drops mineral oils white precipitate change to pale
blue

2 mL FeCl2 + 4 Orange in solution No,colour No Form single layer.

drops mineral oils and have orange change to
precipitate yellowish

Precipitate Oil emulsified

System Synthetic
Soap Soap Synthetic detergent
detergent

CaCl2 YES NO YES YES

MgCl 2 YES NO NO YES

FeCl3 YES NO NO YES

 Based on the test above, the soap have the precipitate of properties if compare with the
synthetic detergent that does not formed any precipitate although react with either CaCl 2,
MgCl2 nor FeCl2.
From the result above, we can observe that when soap mixed with CaCl2, the soap
solution change to colourless with the present of white precipitate and oil emulsion mean
while the synthetic detergent change colour into pale blue and and have oil emulsified.
When mixed with MgCl2, the soap become milky solution and also presence the white
precipitate while but no emlusion of oil .But,for the synthetic detergent only change pale
blue colour and consist oil emulsification in the form of 1 layers.
Lastly, the soap change into orange colour in solution with the presence of orange
precipitate and no emulsion of oil.But, compare to the synthetic detergent does not form
any precipitate it only change into yellowish colour and also have oil emulsion.

Test (4) : The comparison of soap and detergent in acidic solution by using 1M HCl

Sample Soap Synthetic detergent

Initial pH 7.2 6.88

Final pH 2.96 2.53

Drops of 1M HCl 8 drops 3 drops

Observations The solution become The solution is clear and not

milky while droping the form any precipitate
HCl solution.

Add the mineral oil for both samples

Observations Form white precipitate Not change

For the test in the acidic solution we can observe that the soap has a high value of pH
reading compare with the synthetic detergent and the soap formed the precipitate when
react with the acid and not for the synthetic detergent.
 7.4 Cleaning comparison of a soap and detergents

Test (5) : Cleaning comparison of a soap and detergent

The cleaning ability by 1) soap, 2) synthetic detergent and 3) distilled water

Samples Tap water Synthetic Soap

detergent

Cleanliness Not clean Very clean Slightly clean

Observation The solution seen Not effect the Not effect the
have a precipitate solution solution

For the test above, it more concentrate to determine the relative cleanliness for the tap
water, synthetic detergent and soap.
Based on experiment conducted, the synthetic detergent shown the high relative
cleanliness compare with the soap and the tap water.
The relative cleanliness can be conclude as:
tap water < soap < synthetic detergent
8. Discussion

. This experiment was performed successfully and the objective was achieved. The
objective of this experiment is to prepare soap and compare its properties to that of a synthetic
detergent. The first procedure was conducted on 20 March 2013. Then the experiment was
completed on 31 March 2013 followed by the second and third experimental procedure. There
are 3 parts in these experiments. The first part which is part A is about preparation of soap. Part
B is about comparison of soap and detergent properties to test precipitation and emulsifying
conducted on 31 March 2013 followed by the part C is comparison of cleaning abilities of soap
and detergent. In this experiment, for the part B and part C there are 5 tests for two of the
cleaning agents (soap and syndets).Part B only have 4 tests which is test 1, 2, 3 and 4.But for part
C is test 5.
After the preparation of soap in these experiment part A,will followed by the part
B.This procedure was conducted to compare the soap properties with the synthetic detergent by
observing the precipitation and emulsification that occurs. For this process, we are using the soap
produced in the first procedure in part A. During the soap preparation, saponification process
occur where the fatty acid carboxylate ions are formed in the presence of the strong base which
is used sodium hydroxide, NaOH for this experiment. Then, these carboxylate ions are the
conjugate bases of the fatty acids therefore, it is able to accept a proton to formed the stable
compound. When it placed into water, these conjugate bases are able to accept the proton from
any souces including the water.
For test 1on this experiment is about to test the comparison of the pH value of soap and
detergent .For the ph of soap solution that was prepared on part A is 11.85 mean while the ph of
synthetic detergent solution is 8.90.In overview,based on that what can conlcude is the ph value
of soap is more basic than synthethic detergent.
For the test 2 is to comparison of emulsification of soap and detergent.Emulsification in
test 2 ,occured only for test in soap and synthetics solution.But for distilled water no
emulsification. Emulsification can be described as the solution that form is in a single layer.
Thus, based on the test above, the emulsification had occured in the stock soap solution and
stock detergent. . While the distilled water do not occur any emulsification because there are oil
layer at the upper part of the solution samples.
For the part B in the test 3 is comparison of properties of soap and detergent in hard
solution , it represents the water condition is in hard water which contains Ca2+, Mg2+ and Fe 3+
ions. The experiment was conducted using 3 different test tubes. By using our soap, precipitate
form in three of the test tubes. This is because the metal ions from the hard water will cause
the soap to form an insoluble salt. Thats why the water does not mix with the soap forming
precipitate.

Then, mineral oil was added to all of the three mixtures. In this process, the precipitate
that forms in the three of our test was dissolved for the soap test. The hydrocarbon is
hydrophobic and soluble with grease or oil; micelles will still be form even though the metal ions
causing the soap to be insoluble with water. But, for the syndets tests, there are no precipitates
and oil emulsifications formed. Means, the syndet are suitable to be used in the hard water, so
as the function to remove any grease or oil from cloth, since the formation micelles occur. From
the observations obtained from the experiement, the soap form the precipitate in all of the
solutions added which are CaCl2, MgCl2 and FeCl2 as well emulsifies the oil. So that, this may
not appear as a good characteristics for the soap as the cleaning agent if there formed precipitate
and emulsifies oil on the cloth. In our daily day,what can applied is for the hard water, it can be
known as the water that consist of calcium ion, Ca2+ and magnesium ions, Mg2+. These ions are
leached from the ground water flowing over rock formations containing limestone and also other
minerals. Thus, the hard water interferes with the cleaning action of soap. That why when the
soap is react with the mineral ions that contain in the hard water, it will formed the precipitate.
So that, the precipitate leaves a deposit on clothes, skin and hair.

For the test 4 , in these experiment test to the comparison of soap and detergent in acidic
solution by using 1M Hydrochloric Acid. For the soap solution test in acidic solution by using
1M Hydrochloric Acid what can conclude is the initial ph of soap is 7.2 change to 2.96 which
required only for 8 drops only and the observation is the solution become milky white precipitate
when dropping the Hydrochloric Acid solution .But, for the ph synthetic detergent solution test
change from is 6.88 change to 2.53 which required only for 3 drops only and the observation is
the solution is clear and not form any precipitate when dropping the Hydrochloric Acid solution.
For the test in the acidic solution we can observe that the soap has a high value of pH reading
compare with the synthetic detergent and the soap formed the precipitate when react with the
acid and not for the synthetic detergent.

For the part C in the final test (test 5), both of the cleaning agent are tested in the acidic
water condition. This experiment is conducted to determine the effectiveness of soap and
detergent in cleaning stain on the cloth strip. The cloth strips that have been soaked in tomato
sauce are put into the beaker containing soap solution in detergent solution. Both solutions are
stirred repeatedly by using stirring rod for 5 minutes. Then, the cloth strips is removed from the
soap and detergent solution and the excess of water is squeeze out. The observation obtained
from this experiment is the cloth strip that soaked in the detergent is cleaner than in soap solution
and tap water. Thus the relative cleanliness can be conclude

tap water < soap < synthetic detergent

Based on the theory, detergent is more effective cleaning agent than the soap as it is
effective in both hard and soft water. It is because detergent contains one or more surfactants that
increase cleanliness. Surfactants is defined as surface active agents which functioned to modify
the surface of the liquid it is dissolved in, reducing the surface tension and allowing oils and
water to mix. As we know, water is the liquid commonly used for cleaning which has a property
called surface tension. In the body of water, each molecule is surrounded and attracted by other
water molecules. At the surface, those molecules are surrounded by other water molecules only
on the water side. A tension is created as the water molecules at the surface are pulled into the
body of the water. This tension causes water to bead up on surfaces which slows wetting of the
surface and inhibits the cleaning process. Therefore, more surfactants can reduce more surface
tension and increase the cleaning process.

However, soap is also a good cleaning agent but the effectiveness of the soap will
decrease as it used in hard water. Hardness in water is caused by the presence of the mineral salts
such as calcium, magnesium, iron and manganese. These mineral salts will react with the soap
and forming an insoluble precipitate known as soap film or scum. The presence of the scum will
decrease the effectiveness of soap as it tends to remain behind and deposits on the cloth. This
reduces the amount of soap available for cleaning. Thus, soap is less effective than detergent in
cleaning process.

Therefore, as the result of this experiment is vice versa, experimental accepted during
conducting this experiment. The synthetic detergents have undeniably replaced soap for many
cleaning jobs around the home. Thus, the development of synthetic detergent by chemist actually
was a great advantage for people with relatively hard tap water in their homes.The synthetic
detergent have the advantages compare to the soap, but there is a significant issue regarding the
use of synthetic detergent that is the biodegradability of some of its components.
10. Conclusion

In conclusion, followed by the objectives of the experiment which are to prepared the soap and
used to compare the properties of soap and detergent which are precipitation, emulsification and
cleaning abilities. thus, the soap is succesfully prepared and all the comparison of properties had
been observed and recorded.

For the test 1 ,the experiment acually want to deterime the comparison of oil emulsification
for the 3 types of sample which are distilled water,soap solution and finally the synthetic
detergent.From the observation,the distilled water do not emulsified the oil meanwhile the
synthethic detergent emulsified the oil which formed the half cloudy solution and soap
emulsified become white solutions.In fact,what can conclude is the soap

The pH value of the soap produced are higher that the synthetic detergent. Thus, this shows
that the soap is more alkali.

Soap and synthetic detergent are soluble in water due to the presents of Hydrophilic polar
end of the atomic structure. Thats why, no emulsification occur if water is added.

Soap is not suitable to be used in hard water. It is because the presents of metal ions
making the soap become insoluble in water.

By using soap in hard water, micelles will still occur due to the Hydrocarbon of the
soap structure.

Soap is not suitable to be used in acidic water.

The syndets are suitable to be used in hard water and also acidic water since the
syndets are remains soluble in the solution.
11. RECOMMENDATIONS:

There are a few recommendations that will significantly produce better observations which will
not deviate much from the theoretical observations.

Wear the gloves that have been provided when conduct the experiment to avoid any
error occurs because the tip of our fingers is acidic.

During filling the solution of mixture putting the paper to the same level of solution at
the back of measuring cylinder and flask to avoid the parallax error.

Before conduct the experiment, make sure all apparatus in good condition especially
the pH electrode and pH meter. Rinsed complete the pH electrode before used it to
read the other pH of the solution using distilled water to neutralize to get accurate
result.

All steps in the procedure should be following to get accurate result.

The more important thing is use safety equipment and avoids any contact with any
chemical reagents involved.

Make sure the apparatus in the stable position.

Take alert for any recorded change of result in the condition of physical condition
likes the colour changes and other. Tabulated the data.

Repeat the experiment for a few times to get a better and accurate result.
12. References

Engineering Chemistry Lab (CHE 485).

Chemistry The Central Science 11th edition, Pearson International Edition (2009);
BROWN, LeMAY, BURSTEN, MURPHY.

Mithu Majumdar. (2012). Cleansing Actionof Soap. Retrieved May 19,2013, from
http://education.fapsnewdelhi.net/cleansing-action-of-soap/
Organic Chemistry(third editions), R.T.Morrison & R.N.Boyd,1973, Allyn and
Bacon,Boston.
http://www.algebralab.org/passage/passage.aspx?file=Chemistry_Soaps.xml date accesed
1/6/2013.
AUS-e-TUTE .(n.d).Chemistry Tutorial : Soaps and Saponification. Retrieved May
19,2013, from
http://www.ausetute.com.au/soaps.html
Charles E. Ophardt. (2003). Soap. Retrieved May 19,2013, from

http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/554soap.html
13. Appendix

Test tube with Racks

Tomato sauce

dropper Ice Bath

Mass Weight Electronic Synthetic Detergent (dynamo)

Ph meter electonic 1% FeCl2 Solution

1% CaCl2 Solution 1% MgCl2 Solution

Cooking Oil Measuring Cylinder

magnetic stirring bar

Beaker

Heater Electronic Lab Distilled water

Retord Stand with Clamp Hydrochloric Acid (HCl)

Glass Rod Saturated Sodium Chloride (NaCl)

 Petric Dish

Vacuum Filtration Apparatus

Cloth Strip

Erlenmenyer Flask