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Q: Why can soap dissolve in polar and nonpolar substances?
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Can water molecules dissolve nonpolar substances?

No, the substance needs to be at least weakly polar to dissolve in water. The general rule "like dissolves like" works for this. You need a non-polar substance to dissolve non-polar substances. That's why you should wash your hands with soap and water. Water will take care of the majority of impurities on your hands, and soap with take care of the rest.


What substances dissolve in oil?

Grease


How does soap remove oil?

Water will dissolve anything that is polar but oil is nonpolar. It usually takes nonpolar liquids to dissolve a nonpolar substance. Soap molecules help with this because they have a polar head that interacts with water nicely and a nonpolar tail that interacts with things like oil. The end result is a drop of oil with a layer of soap floating around in the water.


Why is soap used in washing?

Many different substances dissolve easily in water, but there are some which don't, particularly oily substances. Soap makes these substances dissolve in water.


What causes nonpolar oil or greasy dirt to mix with the polar water?

The detergent is a molecule with a long nonpolar tail connected to a water-soluble polar head. The nonpolar tails surround the nonpolar dirt particles (like dissolves like) and the polar heads point toward the water. Each clump of dirt is then dispersed in the water as they are attached to these detergent molecules, sliding off clothes with agitation in the washing machine. I do not own answer Laura M does at yahoo answers

Related questions

Can water molecules dissolve nonpolar substances?

No, the substance needs to be at least weakly polar to dissolve in water. The general rule "like dissolves like" works for this. You need a non-polar substance to dissolve non-polar substances. That's why you should wash your hands with soap and water. Water will take care of the majority of impurities on your hands, and soap with take care of the rest.


What substances dissolve in oil?

Grease


How does soap remove oil?

Water will dissolve anything that is polar but oil is nonpolar. It usually takes nonpolar liquids to dissolve a nonpolar substance. Soap molecules help with this because they have a polar head that interacts with water nicely and a nonpolar tail that interacts with things like oil. The end result is a drop of oil with a layer of soap floating around in the water.


Is soap polar nonpolar?

Soap is actually both. It is similar to a phospholipid in that it has a polar head and a nonpolar tail.


Is soap polar or non-polar?

Soap is actually both. It is similar to a phospholipid in that it has a polar head and a nonpolar tail.


Soap helps romove grease from clothes because?

Fatty acid salts act as soap to remove grease because of their nonpolar tail and their polar head. This structure allows otherwise insoluble particles in water to become soluble and then washed away.


What kinds of substance dissolves in water?

Powders like sugar, salt, baking soda, etc.


Why is soap used in washing?

Many different substances dissolve easily in water, but there are some which don't, particularly oily substances. Soap makes these substances dissolve in water.


How does laundry detergent work on a molecular level?

The molecule that makes up soap or detergent has a polar head and a nonpolar tail. In chemistry, compounds that are polar like to mix with other polar compounds and compounds that are nonpolar like to mix with other nonpolar compounds. This is why oil and water don't mix. Water is polar and oil is nonpolar. Oil and grease are a nonpolar compounds. When in water the soap molecules will arrange themselves in such a way that the nonpolar tails surround the grease creating a spherical droplet. On the face of this sphere is the polar heads of the soap molecule. This allows it to interact with the polar water. This is how soap and laundry detergent are able to remove oil and grease and wash it down the drain.


Why is it difficult to wash an oily plate with cold water without soap or detergent?

Oil is a nonpolar substance and water is a polar substance, so the water can't mix with or dissolve the oil.


You have a spot of oil which is nonpolar on your favorite shirt.in which substance will the oil be most likely to dissolve?

The oil is nonpolar, so it will be more likely to dissolve in a nonpolar substance. Substances such as gasoline, kerosene, or other nonpolar solvents would be more effective at dissolving the oil spot on your shirt.


Is soap soluble in oil?

No, soap is not soluble in oil. Soap is hydrophilic, meaning it is soluble in water, but not in oils or other nonpolar substances.