INTRODUCTION
The foaming ability of soap is determined by its composition and concentration.
Equal volumes of solutions from different samples with the same concentration can
be compared by shaking them with the same force for the same period. The
solutions are then allowed to sit until the froth created during shaking has
dissipated. The time taken for the foam to disappear in each sample is measured.
The longer it takes for the foam to vanish in a given sample of soap, the greater its
foaming capacity or cleaning activity.
Soap is an anionic surfactant that is used to clean and wash with water. It's often
sold as solid bars or a sticky liquid. Saponification, or the interaction of common
oils or fats with strong alkalis, produces sodium or potassium salts of fatty acids,
which are used in soap. The lipids are hydrolyzed by the base, which produces
alkali fatty acid salts (crude soap) and glycerol. Soap molecules have a hydrophilic
end that interacts with water and a hydrophobic end that binds to non-polar grease
molecules, making them effective cleaning agents. The foaming capacity of
different soap samples may be evaluated by measuring the quantity of foam
formed by an equivalent amount of various soap samples.
Forming Capacity of the Soap Can be Measured?
The foaming capacity of a soap sample is determined by the soap's type and
concentration. This may be compared between different soap samples by shaking
the same concentration of solution. The foam is created, and the time it takes for it
to vanish in each scenario is compared. The smaller a solution's foaming capacity
is, the less time it takes for foam to evaporate.
Introduction to the Experiment
Soap samples of various brands are taken and their foaming capacity is noticed.
Various soap samples are taken separately and their foaming capacity is observed.
The soap with the maximum foaming capacity is thus, said to be having the best
cleaning capacity. The test requires to be done with distilled water as well as with
tap water. The test of soap on distilled water gives the actual strength of the soaps
cleaning capacity. The second test with tap water tests the effect of Ca2+and
Mg2+salts on their foaming capacities.
OBJECTIVE:
To compare the foaming capacity of various soaps
Theory
The foaming capacity of soap depends upon the nature of the soap and its
concentration. This may be compared by shaking equal volumes of solutions of
different samples having the same concentration with same force for the same
amount of time. The solutions are then allowed to stand when the foam produced
during shaking disappears gradually. The time taken for the foam to disappear in
each sample is determined. The longer the time taken for the disappearance of the
foam for the given sample of soap, greater is its foaming capacity or cleansing
action.
Apparatus Requirements:
Five 100ml conical flasks, five test tubes, 100ml measuring cylinder, test tube
stand, weighing machine, stop watch.
Chemical Requirements:
Five different soap samples, distilled water, tap water.
Procedure
1. Take five 100ml conical flasks and number them 1,2,3,4,5. Put 16ml of
water in each flask and add 8 grams of soap.
2. Warm the contents to get a solution.
3. Take five test tubes; add 1ml of soap solution to 3ml of water. Repeat the
process for each soap solution in different test tubes.
4. Close the mouth of the test tube and shake vigorously for a minute. Do the
same for all test tubes and with equal force.
5. Start the timer immediately and notice the rate of disappearance of 2mm
of
froth.
6. Record the observation in tabular form
Observation
The following outcomes were noticed at the end of the experiment
Result
The cleansing capacity of the soaps taken is in the order:
Santoor> Dove >Cinthol>Tetmosol> Lux
From this experiment, we can infer that Santoor has the highest foaming capacity,
in other words, highest cleaning capacity. Lux, on the other hand is found to have
taken the least amount of time for the disappearance of foam produced and thus is
said to be having the least foaming capacity and cleansing capacity.
The tests show negative results for the presence of the salts causing hardness in
water. The water used does not contain salts of Ca2+ and Mg2+. The tap water
provided is soft and thus, the experimental results and values hold good for
distilled water and tap water.
