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Soap acts as an emulsifying agent. An emulsifier is capable of dispersing one liquid into another immiscible liquid. Nearly all compounds fall into one of two categories: hydrophilic and hydrophobic. Water and anything that will mix with water are hydrophilic. Oil and anything that will mix with oil are hydrophobic. When water and oil are mixed they separate, which is why hydrophilic and hydrophobic compounds just do not mix. When grease or oil is mixed with a soap- water solution, the soap molecules work as a bridge between polar water molecules and non-polar oil molecules. It doesn't separate them -- in fact, it does the opposite. Soap allows water and oil to mix.

See the Related Questions to the left for more information about how soap works.

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16y ago

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Related Questions

What is the use salting out in the preparation of soap?

Salting out is used in the preparation of soap to help separate the soap from the glycerin during the saponification reaction. By adding salt to the soap mixture, the soap molecules are forced to come out of solution, making it easier to separate them from the glycerin layer.


Why was the hydrolysed fat mixture poured into a concentrated salt solution to precipitate soap?

The salt reacts with the water that would go toward acting as a solvent for the organic molecule. The inorganic salt is more "thirsty" than the organic molecule and deprives the soap of sufficient water to keep it soluble. This causes the soap to precipitate.


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 can you separate a mixture of glycerol and water?

dnt no you can separate glycerin to add brine solution at the time of soap trace brine solution is a salt water and salt is insoluble in glycerin so after pouring salt water the soap separated in two phases soap upper phase and the spent soap lye(lower phase)the spent lye soap was filter to remove unwanted soap particles after hydrochloric acid treatment and then neutralizing with sodium hydroxide solution and then keep in oven for drying this stage there will be two layers salt and glycerin layer care fully decanted and store in a refrigerator


What dissolves soap but not salt?

Alcohol can dissolve soap but not salt. When alcohol is applied to soap, it can break down the soap molecules and cause it to dissolve. Salt, on the other hand, does not dissolve in alcohol due to differences in their chemical structures.


Which sentence is grammatically correct either baking soda or soap are a salt or either baking soda or soap is a salt?

Either baking soda or soap is salt.


Why does adding a salt solution to the saponification mixture cause the salt to precipitate?

When a salt solution is added to the saponification mixture, the presence of excess ions from the salt solution can disrupt the balance within the mixture. This disruption can lead to the formation of insoluble salts, which precipitate out of the solution. The precipitation of the salt helps separate it from the soap and other components of the mixture.


Why is soap neutralized by metal salts?

Salt is added to soap solution to help precipitation and separation of salt.


What is the use of common salt in soap industry?

For solubility of soap


What is the difference between salt and soap?

Salt, is used to flavor and preserve food. Soap is used to clean and disinfect


Why is salt needed in soap making?

Salt is needed in soap making to harden it as it solidify's so that it does not become mushy


Can you used filtation to separate salt?

No, it cannot separate salt from a salt solution. This is because salt is soluble in water.