Soaps, Detergents and Emulsions Flashcards
What are soaps made from?
They are salts made from the alkaline hydrolysis of fats and oils.
What is the most common type of soap?
Sodium Stearate
Describe the structure of soap.
Uncharged covalent tail, composed of a hydrocarbon chain.
Negatively charged ionic head.
What is the non-polar part of the soap also known as?
Hydrophobic as it is repelled by water.
What is the polar part of the soap also known as?
Hydrophilic as it dissolves in polar substances like water.
What is the suspension of small grease droplets in water called?
An emulsion.
What is a detergent?
A family of compounds that are similar to soaps and work in similar ways.
When can a detergent be used?
They are more useful in areas where hard soap is present.
Why are emulsions found in food?
To prevent the oil and water from separating (and thus the food spoiling)
What is the structure of an emulsifier?
1 or 2 fatty acid groups can be added to a molecule of glycerol.
What is one of the most commonly used emulsifiers listed as a food additive?
E471
