Question

Explain the mechanism of cleansing action of soaps.

Explain with diagram the mechanism of the cleansing action of soaps.

Answer 1

Mechanism of cleansing actum of soaps

Soap and detergents have two parts, a long chain, of hydrocarbon tail soluble in oil and other part (head) soluble in water

1. When soap is added to an oily part of cloth as a vessel, the hydrocarbon part of the soap dissolves in oil and the ionic end of the soap dissolves in water.
2. The soap molecules form micelles where one of the molecules is towards the oil droplet, while the ionic end faces outside.
3. This results in an emulsion in water.
4. The soap micelles assist in dissolving the dirt in water. Thus we can wash our clothes.

Answer 2