Asked by Tiffany Lease on Apr 23, 2024
Verified
What is the difference between a soap and detergent?
Soap
Salt of fatty acids that are primarily used for cleaning and lubrication, formed by the reaction between an alkali and a fat or oil.
Detergent
A chemical compound used to remove dirt, including surfactants that can break up and remove grease and oil.
- Elucidate the mechanisms behind the functioning of soaps and detergents and identify the distinctions between them.
Verified Answer
ZK
Zybrea KnightMay 02, 2024
Final Answer :
Soaps are made from the saponification of fats, while detergents are synthesized in the lab. The hydrophilic head groups of soaps are carboxylates, while detergents use other functional groups like quaternary amines, phosphates and sulfates.
Learning Objectives
- Elucidate the mechanisms behind the functioning of soaps and detergents and identify the distinctions between them.