Questions: Which of the following properties does soap, an emulsifier, have that make it useful for washing dirt off one's hands with water? Soaps emulsifying action helps to dissolve grime into smaller particles. Soaps dual polar and nonpolar nature helps bond oil and water. Soaps acidity causes grime to precipitate into the water. Soaps rough texture physically scours grime off surfaces.

Which of the following properties does soap, an emulsifier, have that make it useful for washing dirt off one's hands with water?
Soaps emulsifying action helps to dissolve grime into smaller particles.
Soaps dual polar and nonpolar nature helps bond oil and water.
Soaps acidity causes grime to precipitate into the water.
Soaps rough texture physically scours grime off surfaces.
Transcript text: Which of the following properties does soap, an emulsifier, have that make it useful for washing dirt off one's hands with water? Soaps emulsifying action helps to dissolve grime into smaller particles. Soaps dual polar and nonpolar nature helps bond oil and water. Soaps acidity causes grime to precipitate into the water. Soaps rough texture physically scours grime off surfaces.
failed

Solution

failed
failed

Solution Steps

Step 1: Understanding the Role of Soap as an Emulsifier

Soap acts as an emulsifier, which means it helps to mix two substances that typically do not mix well, such as oil and water. This is crucial for washing because dirt and grime often contain oily substances that do not dissolve in water alone.

Step 2: Analyzing the Properties of Soap

Soap molecules have a dual nature: they possess both polar (hydrophilic) and nonpolar (hydrophobic) ends. The polar end is attracted to water, while the nonpolar end is attracted to oils and grease. This allows soap to surround oil particles, breaking them into smaller droplets that can be suspended in water and rinsed away.

Step 3: Evaluating the Given Options
  • The first option suggests that soap's action helps dissolve grime into smaller particles, which is partially correct but not the primary mechanism.
  • The second option correctly identifies soap's dual polar and nonpolar nature, which is essential for bonding oil and water.
  • The third option incorrectly states that soap's acidity causes grime to precipitate, which is not accurate.
  • The fourth option suggests that soap's texture physically scours grime, which is not the primary function of soap.

Final Answer

The correct property of soap that makes it useful for washing dirt off with water is its dual polar and nonpolar nature, which helps bond oil and water. Therefore, the answer is:

\(\boxed{\text{Soap's dual polar and nonpolar nature helps bond oil and water.}}\)

Was this solution helpful?
failed
Unhelpful
failed
Helpful