Question

(a) How does the use of a detergent help to clean soiled clothes ?
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Answer 1

Answer:

A detergent is an effective cleaning product because it contains one or more surfactants. Because of their chemical makeup, the surfactants used in detergents can be engineered to perform well under a variety of conditions. Such surfactants are less sensitive than soap to the hardness minerals in water and most will not form a film.

Answer 2

Detergent help to clean soiled clothes by the action of its surfactant and water molecules.

• The surfactant in detergent is a hydrocarbon chain with a hydrophilic (water-loving) head and a hydrophobic (water-hating) tail.
• When detergent is dissolved in water, its molecules form structures called as micelles.
• The tail of the hydrocarbon chain then attaches itself to the dirt in clothes whereas the head attaches to water molecules.
• When we swish the water around, the dirt from our clothes is detached and spread in water.
• Hence, as clothes get cleaned we see the color of water getting murkier.