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Firstly, it is important to know the chemical structure of soap. Soap is made of a long hydrocarbon tail (R), which is hydrophobic (water fearing) and a polar, hydrophilic head, made of a COO- group connected to some cation (usually Na+). Now, for example, imagine a surface covered in oil placed in water. The oil will remain on the surface and not mix with the water. If a soap is added the hydrophobic hydrocarbon chain is attracted to the non-polar oil and bonds via dispersion forces, while the positive COO- head is attracted to the water, thus you have the tails in the oil and the heads in the water. Now, if the water is agitated the hydrophilic heads will want to move with the water, as the head of the molecule moves, so to does the tail, thus the tail moves into the water, still connected to the oil, removing the oil. A diagram such as this will help in understanding: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Soapfunction1.jpg
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∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoSoap (and detergents in general) are chemically made up of a fatty part (which will adhere to other fats) and a water soluable part (often a alkaline) which is highly soluble in water.Type your answer here...
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoSoaps reduce the surface tension of the water. That reduces the bonding between individual dirt particles and the cloth. This helps to remove the dirt from your cloths.
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoBecause dirt and oil are soluble in liquified soap but not in water.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoSoap contains surfactants, which "lift" oil and dirt from the soiled item, and help suspend the oil/dirt in water.
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How necessary is soap in removing salt from your hands?
Soap is not necessary for removing salt from your hands. Salt is very easy to clean off your hands with just water.
Which type of soap removes more grease dish soap hand soap or shampoo?
I think dish sap can remove
How do you turn hard bar soap into soft soap?
- Liquid soap (a soap prepared with potassium hydroxide) cannot be turned in solid soap. It is prepared especially to be liquid.- Melted soap (prepared with sodium hydroxide) can be solidified after adding a small quantity of sodium chloride and by cooling to room temperature.
Adding soap to water on wax paper?
Adding soap to water when it is on wax paper will cause it to separate. This will make it bubble up.
What is emulsification of soap?
Emulsification is the process of dispersing one liquid into another immiscible liquid (ie mixing 2 things that do not mix naturally). Oil (which attracts dirt) doesn't naturally mix with water. However soap can suspend oil/dirt in such a way that it gets suspended in water and can be removed when we wash it with water. This is called emulsification of soap.
What is the purpose of soap in the catalyst demonstartion?
I was looking for an answer rather than supplying an answer. I believe that soap is used to help remove dirt, to make the surface (skin or clothing) slippery to remove dirt. In other words, if you don't have dirt, water is sufficient. If soap remains on the skin it can clog pores and lead to B.O.
Why does soap and water remove dirt?
soap lowers the surface tensions of water, making water wetter and more able to remove soil and dirt.
What will remove oil and dirt best without using soap?
detergent
Can soap remove pathogens?
Soap and water provide a medium in which dirt is lifted from the skin and is mixed within the medium created by the soap and water. As the soap and water are rinsed off the skin, the dirt is carried away as well.
How does water help us wash clothes?
The soap is the stuff that breaks down the dirt and grime, the water washes the dirt and grime away with the soap
Why does soap remove oil from hands?
Soap creates a hydrophobic pocket around oil molecules and carries it away on water. It carries the dirt with it as the dirt id attached to the oil.
Advantages of using soap?
Soap helps remove germs and dirt from people and objects. There are many forms of soap from body soaps to cleaning supplies.
What should you think about when cleaning a copper countertop?
When cleaning a copper countertop, you should consider using warm water and dish soap. Diluting the dish soap in the warm water can help efficiently remove stains and dirt from the copper countertop.
What the opposite of soap?
no soap...or dirt?
Is the end of a soap molecule that attracts and dissolves oily dirt polar?
yes the hydrocarbon ends of the soap attracts to the dirt to form structures called micelles.........................hope this answer will help ppl!
How does common salt help in separating soap from the solution after saponification?
1. Sodium chloride help to separate soap from the mixture by precipitation. 2. Adding sodium chloride the soap is more hard.
How do you get rid of the dirt in the engine coolant jug of a car?
Remove the jug and wash it out with soap, water and a bottle brush.
