What is the difference between a soap and a synthetic detergent?

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Solution

Soap Synthetic detergent
They are sodium and potassium salts of higher fatty acids like steric acid, palmitic acid, lauric acid, linoleic acid.
Synthetic detergents are sodium salts of alkyl hydrogen sulphate of alcohol or alkyl benzene sulphonates
Soaps are completely biodegradable
Synthetic detergents are not completely biodegradable.
Soaps cannot be used in hard water.
Synthetic detergents can be used in hard water.

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Soap	Synthetic detergent
They are sodium and potassium salts of higher fatty acids like steric acid, palmitic acid, lauric acid, linoleic acid.	Synthetic detergents are sodium salts of alkyl hydrogen sulphate of alcohol or alkyl benzene sulphonates
Soaps are completely biodegradable	Synthetic detergents are not completely biodegradable.
Soaps cannot be used in hard water.	Synthetic detergents can be used in hard water.