Chapter 12.3, Problem 20SSC

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The reason for soap and water to be used to clean clothing instead of water alone must be explained.

Concept introduction:

Soap is the sodium or potassium salt of long chain carboxylic acid.

Answer to Problem 20SSC

Soap and water is used to remove the oil from the clothing.

Explanation of Solution

Oil is not soluble in water and so only water can’t clean clothes by removing the oily layer on the clothes.

When soap and water are used then the long hydrocarbon chains absorbs the oil as this hydrocarbon chain part is hydrophobic. After the oil is removed by soap then water can remove the dirt from the clothes.

Conclusion

Water is not able to remove oil from clothes and so soap and water are used for cleaning clothes.