Question

What is soap? Write the chemical reaction for the preparation of soap and write two characteristics of soap.

Hint:

Soap's ability to dissolve in both water and oil makes it a powerful cleaning agent.

Answer 1

Soap is a salt of fatty acids, produced by saponification, which is the reaction of an alkali with a fat or oil. The reaction for soap preparation is:
\[ \text{Fat} + \text{Alkali} \rightarrow \text{Soap} + \text{Glycerol} \]
Two characteristics of soap:
(i) Soap acts as a surfactant that helps in cleaning by reducing surface tension.
(ii) It emulsifies oils and grease, making them easier to wash away with water.