Chapter 22, Problem 21R

To determine

To Compare: The given pair of terms.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Soaps are salts. Salts are formed on the reaction of an acid with bases.

Bases are substances that dissociate in water to produce hydroxide ions. It can also be defined as a substance that accepts ${\text{H}}^{+}$ ions from acids. In solution, bases have a bitter taste, feel slippery and turn red litmus paper blue. Bases are used in many cleaning products.

On the other hand, a soap is a sodium or potassium salt of a carboxylic acid group (−COOH), having a non-polar chain of carbon atoms at one end. The non-polar end of the soap interacts with non-polar oils, dirt and readily removes them.

Conclusion:

A base is a substance that produces hydroxide ions, when dissolved in water or accepts ${\text{H}}^{+}$ ions from acids, whereas, A soap is a salt, formed from an acid and a base, having long hydrocarbon atoms on one end and a sodium or potassium salt of a carboxylic acid group at the other end.