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Chapter 12: Problem 150

Explain how soaps allow water to wash oily, nonpolar dirt off clothes and skin.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Soaps allow water to wash oily, nonpolar dirt off clothes and skin due to their amphiphilic nature, which means they have both polar and nonpolar properties. Soap molecules have a hydrophilic (water-loving) head and a hydrophobic (water-repelling) tail. When soap is added to water, it forms micelles - spherical structures where hydrophobic tails face inward and hydrophilic heads face outward. These micelles trap oil and dirt particles, and when rinsed with water, the hydrophilic heads pull the micelles away from the surface and wash away the trapped particles, effectively cleaning clothes and skin.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the structure of soap molecules

Soap molecules have two distinct parts: a hydrophilic (water-loving) head and a hydrophobic (water-repelling) tail. The hydrophilic head is usually made up of a carboxylate ion group (-COO-) that interacts well with polar water molecules. The hydrophobic tail, on the other hand, consists of a nonpolar hydrocarbon chain that has little to no affinity for water but interacts well with nonpolar substances like oil and dirt.
02

Understand the amphiphilic nature of soap molecules

Due to the dual nature of their structure, soap molecules are amphiphilic. This means they have both polar and nonpolar properties, allowing them to interact with both water and oil. This unique property of soap molecules is what makes them effective cleaning agents.
03

Form micelles to surround and trap oil and dirt particles

When soap molecules are added to water, they spontaneously arrange themselves into micelles, which are spherical structures with the hydrophobic tails facing inward and the hydrophilic heads facing outward. This arrangement minimizes the contact between the hydrophobic tails and water while maximizing their interaction with oil and dirt. As a result, the hydrophobic tails of the soap molecules can "catch" and surround oil and dirt particles, while the hydrophilic heads remain in contact with water.
04

Remove dirt and oil through emulsification

The formation of micelles effectively emulsifies the dirt and oil in the water, allowing them to be washed away. When you rinse your clothes or skin with water, the hydrophilic heads of the soap micelles are attracted to the water molecules, pulling the micelles away from the surface. As the micelles are washed away, they take the trapped oil and dirt particles with them, leaving your clothes and skin clean.

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