Question

Explain the cleansing action of soaps?

CBSE, class XIII guys.

Answer 1

Because soap is a salt, it partially separates into its component ions in water. The active ion of the soap molecule is the RCOO-. The two ends of this ion behave in different fashions. The carboxylate end (-COO-)is hydrophilic (water-loving), and is said to be the head"" of the ion.The hydrocarbon portion is lipophilic (oil-loving) and is called the 
tail of the molecule. This unusual molecular structure is responsible 
for the unique surface and solubility characteristics of soaps and other
surfactants (agents affecting the surface of a material). 
In a 
mixture of soap and water, soap molecules are uniformly dispersed. This 
system is not a true solution , however, because the hydrocarbon 
portions of the soap's ions are attracted to each other and form 
spherical aggregates known as micelles. The molecules tails that are 
incompatible with water are in the interior of these micelles, while the
hydrophilic heads remain on the outside to interact with water. When 
oil is added to this system, it is taken into these micelles as tiny 
particles. Then it can be rinsed away.

Answer 2

Cleaning action of soap and detergents, most of the dirt is only in nature and oil does not dissolve in water. The molecules of soap constitute sodium or potassium salts of long chain carboxylic acids. In case of soaps, the carbon chain dissolves  in  oil and the ionic end dissolves in water.