Differentiate between: Detergents and soaps

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Solution

Soaps

Detergents

1.

Soaps are the sodium salts of long−chain carboxylic acids.

Detergents are the sodium salts of long−chain benzene sulphonic acids.

2.

The ionic group in soaps is −COO⁻Na⁺.

The ionic group in detergents is SO₃⁻Na⁺ or SO₄⁻Na⁺.

3.

Soaps are not useful in hard water.

Detergents can be used for washing in hard water.

4.

Soaps are biodegradable.

Some of the detergents are non−biodegradable.

5.

Soaps have relatively weak cleansing action.

Detergents have a strong cleansing action.

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	Soaps	Detergents
1.	Soaps are the sodium salts of long−chain carboxylic acids.	Detergents are the sodium salts of long−chain benzene sulphonic acids.
2.	The ionic group in soaps is −COO⁻Na⁺.	The ionic group in detergents is SO₃⁻Na⁺ or SO₄⁻Na⁺.
3.	Soaps are not useful in hard water.	Detergents can be used for washing in hard water.
4.	Soaps are biodegradable.	Some of the detergents are non−biodegradable.
5.	Soaps have relatively weak cleansing action.	Detergents have a strong cleansing action.