Question

What are micelles? Why does it form when soap is added to water ? Will a micelle be formed in other solvents such as ethanol ..

Answer 1

A 'spehrical aggregate of soap molecules' in a soap solution in water is called micelle.
Micelle formation takes place when soap is added to water becoz the hydrocarbon chains of soap molecules are hydrophobic which are insoluble in water, but ionic ends of soap molecules are hydrophiilic and hence soluble in water.
Micelle formation will not take place when soap is added to ethanol becoz the hydrocarbon chains of soap molecules are soluble in organic solvents like ethanol.

Answer 2

|$\large\mathrm\blue{Solution}$|

Micelle formation takes place because of the dirt particles in water and clean water. There are two mediums that are involved: one is pure water and the other being dirt (also called as impurities). The soap also has two mediums:

$\large\bf\pink{(i) \:organic\:\: tail }$

$\large\bf\pink{(ii) \:ionic \:\:head}$

So the organic tail mixes and dissolves with the dirt whereas the oil or grease and ionic head dissolves and mixes with the water. Therefore, when the material to be cleaned is removed from the water, the dirt is taken off by the soap molecules in the water. Hence, the soap cleans by forming closed structures by the mutual repulsion of the micelles (positively charged heads).