Name: ________________________________________________ Date: ___________
Lab partner: ______________________________________ Instructor: ______________
Intermolecular Forces: Synthesis and Properties of Soaps
Data Sheet
Preparation of Soap
How many layers were there? Why?
Were there any odors coming off soap solution as you were preparing it? What is a likely identity of this odor?
Properties
pH
Indicator color |
pH |
||
Solution |
Blue litmus |
Red litmus |
(basic or acidic) |
Your soap |
|||
Commercial soap |
|||
Commercial detergent |
Cleaning properties:
Solution | Observations |
Your soap | |
Commercial soap | |
Commercial detergent | |
D.I. water |
Reactions in Acidic Water:
Contents | Initial Observations | Observations after 5 minutes |
Your soap | ||
Commercial soap | ||
Commercial detergent | ||
Distilled water |
Behavior in Hard Water (Record your observations below.)
Solution |
Hard Water |
Distilled water |
|
Your soap | Initial | ||
After 5 min | |||
Commercial soap | Initial | ||
After 5 min | |||
Commercial detergent | Initial | ||
After 5 min |
Phosphate test:
Solution | Observations |
Phosphates present? |
Your soap | ||
Commercial soap | ||
Commercial detergent | ||
Deionized water |
Post lab questions:
1. Based upon your observations of solubilities and washing ability and information from your textbook, explain briefly the mechanism of the washing action of soaps and detergents.
2. Do your observations of the effect of hard water on soaps and detergents suggest an advantage to detergents?
3. Phosphates in cleaning products have largely been banned because of negative effects on the environment. What are some of the negative effects of using phosphates in detergents?
4. Acidic solutions will decrease the ability of a soap to clean because the hydronium ions from the acid will block part of the soap molecules. To which end of the soap molecule will H3O+ ions be attracted? Draw a picture if necessary.