Soap is a surfactant that effectively cleans by emulsifying oils and dirt, allowing them to be washed away with water. It is typically made through the saponification process, which involves the chemical reaction of fats or oils with an alkali, such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide.

Soap

Surfactants are compounds that lower the surface tension between two liquids or between a liquid and a solid, playing a crucial role in processes like emulsification, detergency, and wetting. They consist of a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail, allowing them to interface between polar and non-polar substances effectively.

surfactant

cleans

emulsifying oils

dirt

washed away with water

saponification process

A chemical reaction is a process where substances, known as reactants, are transformed into different substances, called products, through the breaking and forming of chemical bonds. This transformation involves changes in energy and is governed by the principles of conservation of mass and energy.

chemical reaction

fats

oils

alkali

Sodium hydroxide, commonly known as lye or caustic soda, is a highly corrosive and versatile alkali used in various industrial processes such as paper manufacturing, soap making, and chemical synthesis. It is crucial to handle sodium hydroxide with care due to its ability to cause severe chemical burns and its reactive nature with acids and organic materials.

sodium hydroxide

Potassium hydroxide is a strong, caustic base commonly used in industrial applications such as soap making, biodiesel production, and as an electrolyte in alkaline batteries. Its ability to absorb moisture and react with acids makes it a versatile compound in both chemical manufacturing and laboratory settings.

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