Very Short Question and Answers - Soaps and Detergents

Saponification.

Soaps are sodium or potassium salts of long-chain fatty acids (carboxylic acids).

Calcium ions (Ca²⁺) and magnesium ions (Mg²⁺).

Glycerol (glycerin).

Fat or oil + sodium hydroxide (NaOH) → soap + glycerol.

A spherical structure formed by soap molecules in water, trapping oily dirt inside with the hydrophobic tails while hydrophilic heads face water.

Soap molecules surround the grease with hydrophobic tails and form micelles, allowing the dirt to be suspended in water and washed away.

Scum is a white, insoluble substance formed when soap reacts with calcium or magnesium ions in hard water.

Detergents are sodium salts of long-chain benzene sulfonic acids or alkyl sulfates, while soaps are sodium or potassium salts of fatty acids.

Sodium stearate and potassium oleate.

Sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate.

Because detergents do not form scum and clean effectively in hard water.

Soaps are usually more biodegradable than some detergents.

Bath soaps: Lux, Dove; Detergents: Surf Excel, Ariel.

Because detergents do not get precipitated in acidic water, but soaps form insoluble fatty acids in acids.

The hydrophobic tail attaches itself to oil and grease.

Natural oils and fats.

It reduces cleaning ability because soap gets used up in forming scum with calcium and magnesium ions.

Soaps are usually biodegradable and less polluting.

Because some detergents are non-biodegradable and can pollute water bodies, harming aquatic life.