Chapter 26, Problem 26.13P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The most commonly used detergent in shampoos and dish washing solutions has to be given.  Also, whether they are primarily anionic, cationic, or neutral detergents has to be identified.

Concept-Introduction:

Properties of detergent:

• A combination of long hydrocarbon tail and very large polar head at one end is ideal for good synthetic detergent. 
• This combination leads to formation of micelle structures in aqueous solution, which dissolves hydrophobic dirt like grease and oil.
• The polar end group does not form insoluble salts in ions generally found in hard water such as ${\text{Ca}}^{\text{2+}}\text{,}{\text{Mg}}^{\text{2+}}\text{,}\text{and}{\text{Fe}}^{\text{3+}}$