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EXPLAIN THE CLEANING ACTION OF SOAPS IN A SYSTEMATIC MANNER.

Asked by Goutam Naik(student), on 13/3/11

Answers
A spherical aggregate of soap molecules in the soap solution in water is called micell
dissolved in water, it forms a colloidal suspension in which the soap molecules cluste
spherical micelles. In a soap micelle. the soap molecules are arranged radially with h
directed inwards and ionic part directed outwards.When a dirty clot is inserted in the solution ten the h
stiks to tthe dirt or oil. With a little agitation the dirt particles get entrapped by the soap micelles and ge
water due to which the soap water gets dirty and the cloth gets cleaned
Posted by T Swetha(student), on 13/3/11

A soap molecule has an ionic part and a non-ionic part. A soap molecule structure is like a tadpole
indicates the long chain of saturated hydrocarbons(non-ionic)part and the head indicates the ionic
ions).Now, u know that dirty clothes do not get easily cleaned in water by simply rubbing it beacus
oil molecules or grease molecules which are im-miscible(cannot be mixed)in water.Now here com
soap molecules...
when the soap molecules come in contact with water,the non-ionic part of the soap molecule (hyd
chain)attaches itself to the dirt or the grease because it is miscible in it.The ionic part remains in
water is also partially ionic in nature...so you see that "like dissolves the like".these soap molecul
surround the dirt particle by dissolving their non-ionic end in it and gradually form michelle(a roun
the dirt particle) and then they detach the dirt particle and incapsulate(imbed)it in water molecule
miscible in water.thus the cloth gets thoroughly cleaned after being rinsed nicely.. : )
A soap molecule has an ionic part and a non-ionic part. A soap molecule structure is like a tadpole
indicates the long chain of saturated hydrocarbons(non-ionic)part and the head indicates the ionic
ions).Now, u know that dirty clothes do not get easily cleaned in water by simply rubbing it beacus
oil molecules or grease molecules which are im-miscible(cannot be mixed)in water.Now here com
soap molecules...
when the soap molecules come in contact with water,the non-ionic part of the soap molecule (hyd
chain)attaches itself to the dirt or the grease because it is miscible in it.The ionic part remains in t
water is also partially ionic in nature...so you see that "like dissolves the like".these soap molecul
surround the dirt particle by dissolving their non-ionic end in it and gradually form michelle(a roun
the dirt particle) and then they detach the dirt particle and incapsulate(imbed)it in water molecules
miscible in water.thus the cloth gets thoroughly cleaned after being rinsed nicely.. : )

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3/20/2014 www.meritnation.com/ask-answer/question/explain-the-cleaning-action-of-soaps-in-a-systematic-manner/science/739037

The cleaning action of soap occurs when oil and grease are absorbed into the hydrophobic center
and are washed away.

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Chapter or Topic Name)

fig 7.10 - Cleansing action of soap

Sodium lauryl sulphate is a synthetic detergent present in laundry soaps, toothpastes and shamp
sodium lauryl sulphate is CH 3 (CH 2 ) 1 1 SO 4 - Na + . It has a hydrophilic sulphate group and a hyd
(C 1 2 H 2 5 ) group. These detergent molecules are called 'anionics ' because they have negative c
hydrophilic end. There are detergents which are 'cationics ' that is they have positive charge at th
thumbs up pleaseeee...
Posted by Vartika(student), on 13/3/11

EXPERT ANSWER

Hi,
We know that soaps and detergents make oil and dirt present in a cloth dissolve
making the cloth clean.
Soap has one polar end (the end with sodium or potassium ion) and one non-polar end (the en
chain) as shown in the figure. The polar end is hydrophilic in nature i.e., this end is attracted tow
non-polar end is hydrophobic, but lipophilic in nature i.e., it is attracted towards hydrocarbons, b
towards water.

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3/20/2014 www.meritnation.com/ask-answer/question/explain-the-cleaning-action-of-soaps-in-a-systematic-manner/science/739037

A soap molecule
When soap is dissolved in water, its hydrophobic ends attach themselves to dirt and remove it f
shown sequentially in the figure that follows.

Diagram representing the cleansing action of soap

First, the molecules of soap arrange themselves in micelle formation and trap the dirt at the cen
These micelles remain suspended in water like particles in a colloidal solution. The various mi
water do not come together to form a precipitate as each micelle repels the other because of the
repulsion.
Thus, the dust particles remain trapped in micelles (which remain suspended) and are easily ri
water. Hence, soap micelles remove dirt by dissolving it in water.
Hope this helps.
Best Wishes!
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Posted by Shveta Dua(MeritNation Expert), on 14/3/11

This conversation is already closed by Expert

what is this term lipophilic ?

Posted by Goutam Naik(student), on 15/3/11

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