Soaps and Detergents (HSC SSCE Chemistry): Flashcards

Surfactants

Substances that change water's behavior at surfaces

Amphiphilic

Having both water-loving and oil-loving ends

Hydrophobic tail bonds with

Oils and grease (non-polar substances)

Hydrophilic head bonds with

Water molecules via ion-dipole bonds

Saponification

Hydrolysis of fats with base to make soap

Products of saponification

Glycerol and three sodium carboxylate molecules

Micelle structure

Sphere: tails inward in grease, heads outward in water

Hard water

20 ppm $\text{Ca}^{2+}$ and $\text{Mg}^{2+}$ ions

Scum

Insoluble solid from soap + $\text{Ca}^{2+}$/$\text{Mg}^{2+}$

Why detergents better in hard water

Form soluble salts with $\text{Ca}^{2+}$/$\text{Mg}^{2+}$, not scum