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Question

Justify the statement the cleansing action of soap is due to emulsification and micelle formation.


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Solution

Soaps:

  1. Soaps are sodium and potassium salts of R-COO-Na+ long-chain fatty acids. The end of the molecule to which the sodium is linked is polar, whereas the alkyl end is non-polar.
  2. As a result, a soap molecule has both a hydrophilic (polar) and a hydrophobic (nonpolar) component.
  3. When soap is dissolved in water, it separates into two parts: COO- and Na+ ions, the hydrophilic part of the micelle beingCOO-, which is present in the water, and the Na+ ions sticking to the oil molecules in the solution.
  4. If in a container, we mix oil and water, and they are allowed to settle. Because oil is a less dense substance, it will float on water.
  5. There will be a transient layer of emulsion if you shake them vigorously.
  6. When we add soap or detergent as a surfactant, the emulsion of oil and water becomes more stable. Emulsification is the term for this procedure.
  7. A surfactant, such as soap or detergent, is required. Water attracts the hydrophilic head of soap, while non-polar particles like dirt attract the hydrophobic end.
  8. This results in the formation of a micelle.
  9. When surfactants are above a threshold micelle concentration, micelles act as emulsifiers, making a molecule soluble in a solution that is normally insoluble.

Therefore, the cleansing action of soap is due to emulsification and micelle formation.


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