Question

Explain the mechanism of the cleaning action of soaps.

Answer 1

Soap molecules Structure-

1. Soap molecules consist of a hydrophilic (water-loving) head and a hydrophobic (water hater) tail.
2. The hydrophobic end comprises a Hydrocarbon chain and the hydrophilic part consists of a Carboxylate ion $\left({\mathrm{COO}}^{-}{\mathrm{Na}}^{+}\right)$

Cleansing Action of Soap-

1. When the soap is dissolved in then at the water's surface, the hydrophobic tail of the soap will appear, which can be seen in the form of bubbles
2. The hydrophilic part remains inside the water.
3. Therefore, the alignment of soap molecules is like this: the hydrophilic part inside the water and the hydrophobic part at the surface.
4. When the soap molecule comes in contact with the dirt, a cluster of soap molecules will form in which the hydrophobic part is directly attached to the dirt and the hydrophilic part remains at the waterside. This cluster is known as a micelle.
5. When micelle forms, soap is able to clean the oily dirt.
6. After we rinse the clothes with water, the soap particle is attached with oil and dirt, and separates with clothes with the oil and dirt, to give clean clothes.