explain the mechanism of cleansing action of soaps. how is micelle formed ?
Answers
Answer:
soap molecules are long chain of carboxylic acids with sodium are pottasium at one end .since the dirt is mostly oily in nature which does not dissolve in water , the carbon chain dissolves in oily dirty and ionic end dissolves in water
Micelles are formed by association of such molecule sin which both lyophilic and lyophobic parts are present . Such molecules are called surface active molecules .Example :Hydrocarbon chain in soap, sodium stearate C17 H35 COONa is lyophobic hydrophobic while - COONa is lyophilic or hydrophilic..The hydrocarbon tails are in the interior of the micelle and COO ions the surface . The grease stain absorbed in to the interior of the micelle which behaves like liquid hydrocarbon . As the strain is detached from the fabric , the dirt particles sticking to the strain are aslo removed.