Question
Why does micelle formation take place when soap is added to water? Will a micelle be formed in other solvents such as ethanol also?

Answer

Soap molecule has two ends. One end is hydrophilic and another end is hydrophobic. When soap is dissolved in water and clothes are put in the soapy solution, soap molecules converge in a typical fashion to make a structure; called micelle. The hydrophobic ends of different molecules surround a particle of grease and make the micelle; which is a spherical structure. In this, the hydrophilic end is outside the sphere and hydrophobic end is towards the centre of the sphere. This is why mice lie formation takes place when soap is added to water. Since ethanol is not as polar as soap, so micelles will not be formed in other solvents such as ethanol.

Need a full question paper?

Generate a complete, print-ready paper with questions like this in minutes — across 16+ boards, with answer keys.

Start Generating Free

Similar questions

Explain why, aluminium is a highly reactive metal, still it is used to make utensils for cooking.
Intake of small quantity of methanol can be lethal. Comment.
State any three limitations of Mendeleev’s classification of elements.
Write the name and molecular formula of an organic compound having its name suffixed with 'ol' and having two carbon atoms in its molecule. Write balanced chemical equation to indicate what happens when this compound is heated with excess conc. H2SO4 and the name of main product formed. Also state the role of conc. H2SO4 in the reaction.
Write the name and formula of one salt each which contains:
  1. Two molecules of water of crystallisation.
  2. Tive molecules of water of crystallisation.
  3. Ten molecules of water of crystallisation.
A non-metal gains electrons to form anions. What do you mean by this statement?
Explain why, a solution of cane sugar does not conduct electricity but a solution of common salt is a good conductor of electricity.
What is meant by strong bases and weak bases? Classify the following into strong bases and weak bases:
NH4OH, Ca(OH)2, NaOH, KOH, Mg(OH)2
Esters are sweet-smelling substances and are used in making perfumes. Describe an activity for the preparation of an ester with the help of a well labelled diagram. Write an equation for the chemical reaction involved in the formation of the ester. Also write the names of all the substances involved in the process of esterification.
In one of the industrial processes used for manufacture of sodium hydroxide, a gas X is formed as by product. The gas X reacts with lime water to give a compound Y which is used as a bleaching agent in chemical industry. Identify X and Y giving the chemical equation of the reactions involved.