Question

How is soap made? Write a word equation involved in soap making.

 

Answer 1

Soap is prepared by heating animal fat or vegetable oil (esters) with concentrated sodium hydroxide solution. Esters react with sodium hydroxide to give soap and glycerol. Saponification is the process of preparing soap by the hydrolysis of fats with alkalis. 

Equation involved in soap making :
Fat or oil (Ester) + Sodium Hydroxide → Soap (Sodium salt of fatty acid) + Glycerol (alcohol)