Question

Explain the mechanism of the cleansing action of soap?

Answer 1

Soap molecules are long chain of carboxylic acids with sodium or potassium at one end . Since the dirt is mostly oily in nature which does not dissolve in water , the carbon chain dissolves in oily dirt and ionic end dissolves in water . It leads to formation of micelles . This forms emulsion in water which is easily removed . In short , oily dirt is dissolved in Carboxylic acid part of soap and is removed .

Answer 2

${\huge{\mathfrak{Answer:-}}}$

$<b><u>$Cleansing action of soaps:

The dirt present on clothes is organic in nature and insoluble in water. Therefore, it cannot be removed by only washing with water. When soap is dissolved in water, its hydrophobic ends attach themselves to the dirt and remove it from the cloth. Then, the molecules of soap arrange themselves in micelle formation and trap the dirt at the centre of the cluster. These micelles remain suspended in the water. Hence, the dust particles are easily rinsed away by water.