There are a lot of things I just don’t understand, and to be honest most of them I don’t really think too deeply about, for example:
How can light be proven to be a wave and a particle?
What is dark matter, or dark energy.
Quantum physics in general, and especially string theory…
But one thing that does get me is…
How does soap work■■?
OK, before I get a smart answer, yes I know you generally add water and rub it on yourself, or whatever you want cleaning, but how does it actually clean things, how does it “lift off dirt and stains”?
Nearly all compounds fall into one of two categories: hydrophilic (‘water-loving’) and hydrophobic (‘water-hating’). Water and anything that will mix with water are hydrophilic. Oil and anything that will mix with oil are hydrophobic. When water and oil are mixed they separate. Hydrophilic and hydrophobic compounds just don’t mix.
The cleansing action of soap is determined by its polar and non-polar structures in conjunction with an application of solubility principles. The long hydrocarbon chain is non-polar and hydrophobic (repelled by water). The “salt” end of the soap molecule is ionic and hydrophilic (water soluble).
When grease or oil (non-polar hydrocarbons) are mixed with a soap- water solution, the soap molecules work as a bridge between polar water molecules and non-polar oil molecules. Since soap molecules have both properties of non-polar and polar molecules the soap can act as an emulsifier. An emulsifier is capable of dispersing one liquid into another immiscible liquid. This means that while oil (which attracts dirt) doesn’t naturally mix with water, soap can suspend oil/dirt in such a way that it can be removed. The soap will form micelles (see below) and trap the fats within the micelle. Since the micelle is soluble in water, it can easily be washed away
Nearly all compounds fall into one of two categories: hydrophilic (‘water-loving’) and hydrophobic (‘water-hating’). Water and anything that will mix with water are hydrophilic. Oil and anything that will mix with oil are hydrophobic. When water and oil are mixed they separate. Hydrophilic and hydrophobic compounds just don’t mix.
The cleansing action of soap is determined by its polar and non-polar structures in conjunction with an application of solubility principles. The long hydrocarbon chain is non-polar and hydrophobic (repelled by water). The “salt” end of the soap molecule is ionic and hydrophilic (water soluble).
When grease or oil (non-polar hydrocarbons) are mixed with a soap- water solution, the soap molecules work as a bridge between polar water molecules and non-polar oil molecules. Since soap molecules have both properties of non-polar and polar molecules the soap can act as an emulsifier. An emulsifier is capable of dispersing one liquid into another immiscible liquid. This means that while oil (which attracts dirt) doesn’t naturally mix with water, soap can suspend oil/dirt in such a way that it can be removed. The soap will form micelles (see below) and trap the fats within the micelle. Since the micelle is soluble in water, it can easily be washed away
And now I will be able to sleep knowing all that… Thanks go to Wikipedia I presume
That is a good answer, but liberty seems to have been taken with “cut and paste”
My problem is that I can read this information but it is still a mystery to me. I need to be able to explain this to my 11 year old. If I can explain it to him so he understands, then I understand, if you get my drift.
I feel I may need to do a quick course in chemistry…
Soap is what we call an Emulsifying agent, that means its chemical make-up can assist in the dissolving of what we call dirt. When we then put a lot of water near the dirt and soap, the water flushes the dirt away.
Detergent does something similar.
That’s how I’ve always understood it.
I bet Diesel Dave and his ADR knowledge can nail it better for you though.
mkb600:
That is a good answer, but liberty seems to have been taken with “cut and paste” How does soap work?
My problem is that I can read this information but it is still a mystery to me. I need to be able to explain this to my 11 year old. If I can explain it to him so he understands, then I understand, if you get my drift.
I feel I may need to do a quick course in chemistry…
ok so i was being cocky
old soap was made with an alkaline and a fat mixed together. normally costic soda and pig fat, now trying to remember my chemistry on how it works, basically one end of the soap molecules attracts oil/grease, and the other end attracts water so it pulls the oil off of what it is attached too and then carries it to the water to be washed away. i think thats correct lol
