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Question
Explain the cleansing action of soap. Draw diagrams to illustrate your answer.
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Solution
Cleansing action of soap: Soap forms a colloidal suspension when dissolved in water. The soap molecules group together to form spherical micelles. When a soiled cloth is immersed in soap water, the hydrocarbon ends of the soap molecules in the micelles entrap the oil and grease on cloth's surface. The ionic ends of the soap molecules in the micelles (having negative charges) are attached to the water. As the soiled cloth gets agitated in the soap solution, the oil and grease entrapped by the soap micelles get dispersed into the water and the soap water becomes dirty while the cloth gets rid of the dirt and becomes clean. Cleansing of the cloth is then done by thoroughly rinsing it in clean water.
The following diagram illustrates the cleansing action of soap:
