Soap
Soap (sōp)
Soap is a substance used with water for washing and cleaning, made of a compound of natural oils or fats with sodium hydroxide or another strong alkali, and typically having perfume and coloring added.
Pronunciation
IPA: /soʊp/
Etymology
The word "soap" comes from the Old English sāpe, which is akin to the Dutch zeep and the German Seife.
Definition
Soap is a cleansing agent created by the chemical reaction of a fatty acid with an alkali metal hydroxide. Chemically speaking, it is a salt composed of an alkali metal, such as sodium or potassium, and a mixture of "fatty" carboxylic acids. The cleansing action of soap comes from its unique ability to surround oil particles, causing them to be dispersed in water and easily rinsed away.
Types of Soap
There are various types of soaps, each designed for specific uses. Some common types include:
- Bar soap: This is the most traditional type of soap, typically used for hand and body washing.
- Liquid soap: A liquid form that is often found in hand soap dispensers.
- Medicated soap: Contains ingredients aimed at killing germs or treating skin conditions.
- Beauty soap: Formulated to cleanse and moisturize skin, often with added scents.
Related Terms
- Saponification: The process of making soap.
- Surfactant: A substance that reduces the surface tension of a liquid, the main active cleaning ingredient in soap.
- Detergent: A synthetic cleaning agent that can perform the same functions as soap but differs chemically.
- Glycerin: A byproduct of the soap-making process, often used in moisturizing products.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Soap
- Wikipedia's article - Soap
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