Soap dissolves fats and helps them become soluble in water.
The hydrophobic tail of a soap molecule is responsible for dissolving fats and oily dirt. This tail is attracted to the fats and oils, while the hydrophilic head of the soap molecule is attracted to water, allowing the soap to emulsify the dirt and oils in water and wash them away.
Soap
Soap is made by reacting fats or oils with sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide in a process called saponification.
Soap can be thick due to the presence of additives such as thickeners or humectants that give it a more viscous consistency. These additives help the soap to cling to surfaces for better cleaning and provide a more luxurious feel during use. Additionally, the type of fats or oils used in the soap-making process can also affect its thickness.
Soap was originally made from a combination of animal fats and wood ash mixed together to create a cleaning agent. The fats would have been boiled with the ash to form soap.
Soap molecules bond to oils and fats, trapping them in a molecular matrix. This has the effect of releasing some of the watery base (whey) of the milk while bonding to the fats (curds).
In conclusion, soap preparation involves mixing fats or oils with a caustic substance, such as lye, to undergo a chemical reaction called saponification. This process converts the fats into soap and glycerin. The soap mixture is then allowed to cure and harden before it is ready for use.
The fats and oils used in soap making primarily come from both animal and plant sources. Common animal fats include tallow (beef fat) and lard (pork fat), while popular plant oils include olive oil, coconut oil, and palm oil. These fats and oils undergo a chemical reaction called saponification when combined with an alkali, typically sodium hydroxide, to produce soap. The choice of fats and oils affects the soap's properties, such as lathering ability and moisturizing qualities.
No, soap base is the raw material used to make soap, while soap is the finished product. Soap base typically consists of oils, fats, and lye, and requires additional ingredients and processes to turn it into soap.
Whole milk reacts with hand soap because hand soap typically contains surfactants that lower the surface tension of water, allowing it to penetrate fats and oils. When whole milk, which contains fats, comes into contact with hand soap, the surfactants in the soap help break down the fats in the milk, causing them to separate from the liquid. This is why you may observe some curdling or separation when whole milk and hand soap are mixed.
The "s" in soap stands for "saponification," which is the chemical reaction that occurs when oils or fats are mixed with an alkali such as sodium hydroxide to create soap.
Soap making is a reaction between compounds found in animal fats and lye. There are also other ingredients in soaps like fragrance and wax.