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Investigatory Project On: The Preparation of Soap
Investigatory Project On: The Preparation of Soap
SCHOOL
Dr. Indu Dayal Meshri Primary English School
INVESTIGATORY PROJECT ON
“ The preparation of soap ”
- ROHAN PATEL
Contents.
Sr. no Title Page no.
1. Introduction 1
2. Micelle 2
3. History 3
4. The making of 4.
soap.
5. Properties 7
6. The universe of 9
soaps.
7. Biodegradable 12
& non-
biodegradable
soaps.
8. Difference 14
between soap
and
detergents.
9. Experiment. 16
10. Conclusion. 18
11. Bibliography. 19
Introduction.
In chemistry, soap is a salt of a fatty acid. Soap
are mainly used as surfactants for washing,
bathing, cleaning.
Fats and oils are composed of triglycerides; three
molecules of fatty acids are attached to a single
molecule of glycerol. The alkaline solution, which
is often called lye, brings about a chemical
reaction as saponification.
They have a polar end which is hydrophilic (water
loving) and a long non-polar chain which is
hydrophobic (water hating). As a consequence,
they can form emulsion by suspending oil in
water.
Fatty end of water soluble end
CH3-(CH2)n-COONa
Soaps are useful for cleaning because soap
molecules have both a hydrophilic end, which
dissolve in water, as well as a hydrophobic
end, which is able to dissolve non-polar grease
molecules.
1
MICELLE.
Micelle is an aggregate of surfactant molecule
dispersed in a liquid colloid.
In an aqueous solution, molecules having polar or
charged group and non-polar regions (amphiphilic
molecules) form aggregate called micelle. In a micelle,
polar or ionic heads form an outer shell in contact with
water, while non-polar tails are sequestered in the
interior.
2
History of
cleaning soap.
Early History
The earliest recorded evidence of the production of soap-
like materials dates back to around 2800 BC in ancient
Babylon. A formula for soap consisting of water, alkali,
and cassia oil was written on a Babylonian clay tablet
around 2200 BC.
The Ebbers papyrus (Egypt, 1550 BC) indicates
the ancient Egyptians bathed regularly and combined
animal and vegetable oils with alkaline salts to create
a soap-like substance. Egyptian documents mention a
soap-like substance was used in the preparation of
wool for weaving.
In the reign of Nab nidus (556–539 BC), a recipe for soap
consisted of uhulu [ashes], cypress [oil] and sesame
[seed oil] "for washing the stones for the servant girls".
Ancient Rome
The word soap, Latin for soap, first appears in Pliny the
elder’s historia naturalis, which discusses the
manufacture of soap from tallow and ashes, but the
only use, is it is as pomade for hair.
A popular belief claims soap takes its name from a
supposed Mount Sapo, where animal sacrifices
where supposed to have taken place.
3
The making of soap.
There are three main ingredients in plain soap, they are
oil/fat, lye/alkali and water. Other ingredients may be
added to give the soap a pleasant odor or color, or to
improve its skin-softening qualities. Some soap is better
made using soft water, and for these it is a necessary to
either use rainwater or to add borax to tap water.
Lyes are extremely caustic. They cause burns if splashed on the skin
and can cause blindness if splashed in the eyes. If drunk, they can be
fatal. Care is needed while handling lyes and ‘green’ (uncured) soap.
There are two types of soap: - Soft & Hard soap.
Soft soap can be made using either a cold process or a
hot process, but hard soap can only be made using hot
process.
To make any soap it is necessary to dilute the lye, mix
it with the fat or oil, and stir the mixture until
saponification takes place.
The cold process may require several days or even
months, depending upon the strength and purity of the
ingredients, whereas hot process takes place within
few minutes to few hours.
Dispose of soap-making wastes carefully outdoors, do
not put them in the drain.
4
several things may cause problem with the normal action
of soap molecules.
One of these is the presence of left-over starting materials.
Extra fat will make the soap feel greasy.
Positively-charged ions tend to bond with negative end of
the soap molecules, either precipiting the molecules
completely, or interfering with the ion-dipole interactions
between the soap molecules and the water.
1.4 million deaths can be prevented each year by handwashing with soap
Children under 5 who wash with soap can reduce their risk of
pneumonia by 46%
1/3 of the worlds soap is used by the U.S
10 Billion pounds of soap are produced each year
The average person encounters 100 chemicals before breakfast
The largest soap bubble was created on October 9th, 2005 and measured
105.4 cubic feet. If you could fill it with baseballs it would hold 13.627 of
them.
5
To prepare a sample of soap and
to examine its properties.
Equipment’s:
250ml beaker.
Sodium hydroxide (20% solution)
100ml beaker
Ethanol
Wire gauge
Saturated solution of sodium chloride
Laboratory burner
Calcium chloride (5% solution)
Glass stirring rod
Magnesium chloride (5% solution)
Test tube and ferric chloride (5% solution)
Filter flask and Buchner funnel
Kerosene and filter paper
Phenolphthalein indicator solution
Cooking oil and graduated cylinder
Watch glass to extinguish possible ethanol flames
Procedure:
I. Measure 20g of cooking oil into a 250ml beaker.
Add 20ml of ethanol and 25ml of 20% sodium
hydroxide solution. Stir the mixture in the beaker.
Place the beaker on wire gauze on a ring stand and
heat gently.
Heat this solution gently, keep the flame away from the top of the beaker
to prevent the alcohol from catching on fire.
II. Heat until the odor disappears.
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III. Turn off the burner and allow the beaker to cool
down.
IV. Move it safely to bench top.
V. Add 100ml of saturated sodium chloride to your
soap preparation and stir the mixture thoroughly.
VI. It is used to remove the soap from water, glycerol,
and any excess sodium hydroxide present.
VII. Filter off the soap with a vacuum filtration
apparatus and wash once with ice water.
VIII. Weigh your dried soap and record the weight.
Properties:
Washing properties.
Take a small amount of soap and try to wash your hands
with it. It should lather rather easily if soft water or use
deionized water.
Record your observations.
Emulsification.
Put 5-10 drops of kerosene in a test tube containing
10ml water and shake to mix. Emulsion or suspension of
tiny oil droplets in water will be formed. Let this stand
for a few minutes
Prepare another test tube with the same ingredients and
also add a small portion (1/2g or so) of your soap.
Shake to mix. Compare the relative stability of the two
emulsions.
Hard water reaction.
Take 1g of your soap and warm it with 150ml of water
in a 100ml beaker.
7
When you have obtained a reasonably clear solution,
pour about 15ml into each of three test tubes.
Test one of the three tubes with 10 drops of 5% CaCl2
solution, one with 10 drops of 5% MgCl2 solution and
one with 10 drops of 5% FeCl3 solution.
Let these solutions stand, then make your observations.
Basicity: - Soap with free alkali can be very damaging
to skin, silk, or wool.
It’s test
Dissolve a small piece of your soap in 15ml of ethanol
and then add two drops of phenolphthalein. It the
indicators turn red; the presence of free alkali is
indicated.
Fats and oils are hydrolyzed(split) with a high
pressure to yield crude fatty acids and glycerol.
The fatty acids are then purified by distillation and
neutralized with an alkali to produce
soap and
water (neat soap in a liquid form).
Fatty acid + NaOH > glycerol + sodium soap.
Sodium soaps are “hard” soap.
The more saturated the oil (tropical vegetable
oils
such as coconut oil), the harder the soap.
Fatty acid + KOH > glycerol + potassium soap
Potassium soap are softer and are found in
some liquid hand soap and shaving cream.
8
The universe of different types
of soap.
Kitchen soaps
They are further categorized into two: cleansers and detergents.
Cleansers
Cleansers are often made with mild abrasives and they are
formulated to eliminate heavy oil or solid particles and hard-to-
remove stains. The cleansers come in many different types
depending on the type of abrasives they contain.
Detergents
Dish detergents are made to remove tough grease and release the
solid dirt particles in the foam that is produced by the detergent.
There are two types of dish detergents: machine dishwasher
detergents and hand dishwashing detergents.
Laundry soaps
Laundry soaps are formulated to eliminate grease, solid
particles and organic compounds from clothes. They can be
found in liquid, powder and gel forms.
Cleaning soaps
Cleaning soaps have different formulations to clean grease and
soil. The difference between cleansers and cleaning soaps is that
cleaning soaps don't contain harsh abrasives.
Personal soaps
This kind of soap is made in many forms and special
formulations for specific personal hygiene needs. One type of the
personal soap is the antibacterial soap that is made to prevent
bacteria and viruses from spreading. There are also body and
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hair soaps that have a mix of ingredients that cleans both the
skin and hair.
Novelty soaps
Novelty soaps are especially manufactured for the kids and
include the soaps in the shapes of various items, such as a
rubber ducky or the soap-on-the-rope. There are made not
only to clean dirt and grime, but for amusement and
enjoyment as well.
Perfumed soaps
Perfumed soaps are produced by adding a few
additional ingredients and perfume.
Guest soaps
Guest soaps are miniature soaps that are made and shaped
into attractive shapes and they are basically designed for the
use by guests either in the main bathroom or separate guest
bathroom. Popular and commonly used shapes are flowers, sea
shells and rounds
Beauty soaps
Beauty soaps are produced to feature attractive fragrances, and
ingredients for a variety of skin types. They can feature glycerin,
or special oil blends.
Medicated soaps
Medicated soaps and original soap are very similar. Unlike
original soap, medicated soap has the addition of antiseptics and
disinfectants.
10
Glycerin soaps
Glycerin is a normally produced during the process of soap
production. Soaps which include glycerin in them tend to make
your skin feel moister.
Transparent soap
Transparent soap uses slightly different ingredients and usually
some form of alcohol to alter the process which is also
conducted at higher temperatures. Not all transparent soaps are
glycerin soaps.
Liquid soaps
Liquid soaps are actually very difficult to produce and many of
the commercial liquid soaps are just in fact detergents.
2.6 million bars of soap are discarded daily by the hotel industry in
the U.S. alone
Lack of access to WASH contributes to two of the three leading killers
of children under the age of five in the world – pneumonia, which can be
prevented by good handwashing and better hygiene; and diarrhea, which
comes from drinking unsafe water and lack of sanitation. With good
quality water, sanitation, and hygiene, children’s lives can be saved.
Handwashing by birth attendants before delivery reduces mortality
rates by 19%.
Liquid soap was patented by the American William Sheppard in 1865.
11
Biodegradable & non-
biodegradable soap.
Biodegradable soap: -
A biodegradable soap is a cleaning agent that can decompose
naturally over time. These soaps can help reduce environmental
impact when hikers, backpackers, and campers need to bathe
or clean their belongings.
12
Non -- biodegradable soap: -
This kind of soap feels good while using but they can cause some
kind of side effects to the applied surface(skin). Normally
professional and instant beauty soap are made with toxic(non-
biodegradable) material.
Its formulation depends upon the kind of area in which they are
going to be used. Soaps with strong smell and constant exposure
to it can even cause nervous breakdown, asthma and migraines.
The three harmful ingredients present in this toxic soaps are
parabeans, sulfates and triclosan.
13
Difference between
soap and detergent.
Soap: -
There are a variety of soaps. A soap is the metal salt of a fatty
acid.
The metal may be an alkali metal such sodium (Na) or potassium
(K). These metals are found in the first column of the periodic
table of the elements. Or, the metal can be an alkaline earth
metal, such as calcium (Ca) or magnesium (Mg). These metals are
found in the second column of the periodic table of the elements.
A fatty acid is an organic compound most often of animal or plant
origin. A fatty acid contains a long-chain aliphatic carbon
skeleton (with or without branches) with a carboxylic acid group
(-COOH) at its end.
Detergent: -
Detergents have some similarities. But are often of synthetic
origin. They are not made insoluble by mineralized (or hard)
water. Also, instead of a carboxylic acid group, a detergent
contains a more highly ionic group. It may have a sulfate or a
sulfonate group (-OS(O)₂-OH).
14
There are even detergents that dissolve in solvents
other than water, such as gasoline. These often include
nitrogen in their formulation. The nitrogen compound
often includes a ring as part of its structure. Such
compounds are not only detergents, but dispersants.
15
Experiment.
Objective: -
To compare the foaming capacity of various soaps.
Requirements: -
1. Five 100ml conical flasks
2. Five test tubes & stand
3. 100ml measuring cylinder
4. Weighing machine and stop watch
5. Five different soap samples
6. Distilled water & tap water
Procedure: -
i. Take five 100ml conical flasks and number
them 1,2,3,4 & 5. Put 16ml of water in each
flask and add 8g of soap.
ii. Warm the contents to get a solution.
iii. Take five test tubes; add 1ml of soap
solution to 3ml of water.
Repeat the process for each soap solution
in different test tube.
iv. Close the mouth of the test tube and shake
vigorously for a minute. Do the same for all
test tube and with equal force.
v. Start the timer immediately and notice the
repeat of disappearance of 1cm of forth.
16
Observations: -
The following outcomes were noticed at the end of the
experiment.
Observation table
Vol. of Time taken
Test tube soap Vol. of for
disappearan
no. solution. water ce
added. of 1cm of
forth.(in
mins)
1. Dove 3ml 3ml 52
2. Santoor 3ml 3ml 39
Chandrik
3. a 3ml 3ml 25
4. Dettol 3ml 3ml 56
Mysore
5. Sandal 3ml 3ml 45
Result: -
The cleaning capacity of the soap taken is in the
order:
18
Bibliography.
This project would be nearly incomplete if I have
not used the information given in the following
websites.
My special thanks for the uploader of
information on these websites. If considered, I
have used everything that google shows me……
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