Question

explain the cleansing action of the soap of the basis of mission concept​

Answer 1

Answer:

• The molecules of soap are sodium or potassium salts of long chain carboxylic acid.
• Two ends of soap molecule possess different properties. One end is hydrophilic end and it dissolves in water, while the other is hydrophobic end and it dissolves in hydrocarbons.
• When soap is at the surface of water, the hydrophobic 'tail' of soap will other be soluble in water and the soap will align along the surface of water with the ionic end in water and the hydrocarbon 'tail' protruding out of the water.
• Inside the water, these molecules have a particular orientation that keeps the hydrocarbon portion out of the water.
• This happens due to formation of clusters of molecules in which the hydrophobic tails are in the interior part of the clusters and the ionic ends are on the surface to the clusters.
• This formation is called micelles.
• Soap in the form of a micelle collects the oily dirt in the centre of it and is able to clean.
• Thus, the dirt suspended in the micelles is also easily rinsed away.

Answer 2

Answer:

A soap molecule has different polarities. At one end of it is the long hydrocarbon chain that is non-polar and hydrophobic, i.e. insoluble in water but soluble in oil. At the other end is the short polar carboxylate ion which is hydrophilic i.e.,soluble in water but insoluble in oil and grease.

When soap is shaken with water it becomes a soap solution that is colloidal in nature. Agitating of soap tends to concentrate the solution on the surface and causes foaming. This helps the soap molecules make a unimolecular film on the surface of water and to penetrate the fabric. The long non-polar end of a soap molecule that are hydrophobic, gravitate towards and surround the dirt (fat or oil with dust absorbed in it). The short polar end containing the carboxylate ion, face towards the water away from the dirt. A number of soap molecules surround or encircle dirt and grease in a clustered structure called 'micelles', which encircles such particles and emulsify them.

The subsequent mechanical action of rubbing or tumbling dislodges the dirt and grease from the fabric. These get detached and are washed away with excess of water leaving the fabric clean.

The cleaning action of soap is due to micelle formation and emulsion formation. Inside water a unique orientation forms clusters of molecules in which the hydrophobic tails are in the interior of the cluster and the ionic ends on the surface of cluster. This results in the formation of micelle. Soap in the form of micelle cleans the (dirt) oil as the oil will be collected at the centre of micelle. This property of soap makes it an emulsifier. The dirt suspended in micelles is easily rinsed away. This is known as cleaning action of soap.

Explanation: