Andy Hsieh 1

Sodium Stearate
(a common soap)

Water
Is made of H2O
o These molecules are charged, partially negative in
the 2 Hydrogen atoms partially positive in Oxygen
atom
o Therefore there is attraction
between water molecules (1
molecules Oxygen [+] to anothers
Hydrogen [-] and vice verca)
hydrogen bonding
Therefore molecules that
dont bond to water
molecules are non-polar

Oil
Is Hydrophobic does not mix with water easily
o Therefore cannot be easily washed off by water
o Is non-polar (as water contains hydrogen bonds
[opposite charges from molecules attract] , and
oil does not mix with water, it is therefore non-
polar)
Skin produces oil, therefore skin will have dirt and
grime trapped in the oil

Soaps - sodium stearate
Main use is to remove OIL from skin
o Does not remove dirt and grim dirt and grim is
trapped by oil from your skin.
(remove oil = remove dirt & grime)
Soap DOES NOT dissolve oil (as
other solvents)
Soap entices the oil to remove
from the skin



o Has 2 ends hydrophobic (doesnt mix with water
easily) and hydrophilic (mixes with water easily)
Hydrophobic end is non-polar attracted to oil
Hydrophilic end is polar (due to carboxyl group
when in water and sodium ion is detached)
attracted to water
Therefore when hydrophobic end has dissolved
in the oil, the hydrophilic end is attracted to
the water molecules and the whole molecule (+
oil) is taken away by the water
o Intermolecular forces present
Ionic bonding, (COO) and Na
o Intermolecular forces when removing oil in water
Ion-Diploid attraction, (COO) and water
molecules
Van der Wall forces, Hydrocarbons surrounding
the oil molecule are attracted to each other




























Andy Hsieh 3

Bibliography
http://www.ausetute.com.au/soaps.html V.G
http://poisonivy.aesir.com/view/soap.html
http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/554soap.html
http://www.worldofmolecules.com/interactive_molecules/soap.htm
V.G
http://course1.winona.edu/jfranz/Lab/soaplab.htm
http://articles.nydailynews.com/2004-01-
05/entertainment/18264875_1_soap-germs-molecules
Organic Chemistry 2 for dummies, pg 300 301