2.4 Soaps and Emulsions Flashcards
(7 cards)
How are Soaps formed?
By hydrolysis of edible fats and oils
Describe the structure of soap
A hydrophobic hydrocarbon chain (tail) and a hydrophilic head
How do soaps work?
The hydrophobic tail buries itself into the oily dirt and the hydrophilic head remains outside
As the soap is agitated, oil droplets are produced surrounded by negatively charged heads which helps disperse the oil droplets.
What is Hard Water?
Water containing high levels of dissolved metal ions
What is scum?
An insoluble precipitate formed when soap is used in hard water
What is an emulsion?
An emulsion contains small droplets of one liquid dispersed in another liquid
How are emulsions formed?
By reacting glycerol with edible fats or oils