Question

compare soaps and detergents on the basis of their composition and cleansing action in water.​

Answer 1

soaps are potassium or sodium salts of a carboxylic acid having a long aliphatic chain attached to it. They are surfactants ( compounds that reduce surface tension between a liquid and another substance ) so help in the emulsification of oils in water. They are not effective in hard water and saline water. Detergents are the potassium and sodium salts of a long alkyl chain ending with is sulphonated group. They are soluble in hard water. This solubility is attributed to the fact that the sulphonated group does not attach itself to the ions present in the hard water.

Answer 2

Answer:

Soaps    

• Composition of soaps

Soaps are Sodium or Potassium salts of long chain fatty acids / carboxylic          acids.

• Cleansing action in hard water

–Soaps Forms scum in hard water.

Detergents

• Detergents are Ammonium or Sulphonate salts of long chain carboxylic acids
• Detergents does not form any scum