Question

Find an example of a detergent. Using a line drawing, draw the detergent and provide its name.

Answer 1

A detergent is a surfactant or a mixture of surfactants with "cleaning properties in dilute solutions."^[1] These substances are usuallyalkylbenzenesulfonates, a family of compounds that are similar to soap but are more soluble in hard water, because the polar sulfonate(of detergents) is less likely than the polar carboxyl (of soap) to bind to calcium and other ions found in hard water. In most household contexts, the term detergent by itself refers specifically to laundry detergent or dish detergent, as opposed to hand soap or other types of cleaning agents. Detergents are commonly available as powders or concentrated solutions. Detergents, like soaps, work because they areamphiphilic: partly hydrophilic (polar) and partly hydrophobic (non-polar). Their dual nature facilitates the mixture of hydrophobic compounds (like oil and grease) with water. Because air is not hydrophilic, detergents are also foaming agents to varying degrees.

example:- Chemical Name: Sodium n-dodecyl benzene sulphonate

Chemical Formula: CH3 (CH2)11 C6H4 SO3- Na+