Introduction
Soaps are sodium or potassium salts of higher fatty acids like stearic, palmitic
and oleic acids can be either saturated or unsaturated. They contain a long
hydrocarbon chain of about 10-20 carbon with one carboxylic acid group as
the functional group. A soap molecule a tadpole shaped structure, whose ends
have different polarities. At one end is the long hydrocarbon chain that is
non-polar and hydrophobic, i.e., insoluble in water but oil soluble. At the
other end is the short polar carboxylate ion which is hydrophilic i.e., water
soluble but insoluble in oil and grease.
Long Hydrocarbon Chain
Hydrophilic End
Hydrophobic end
When soap is shaken with water it becomes a soap solution that is colloidal in
nature. Agitating it tends to concentrate the solution on the surface and
causes foaming. This helps the soap molecules make a unimolecular film on
the surface of water and to penetrate the fabric. The long non-polar end of a
soap molecule that are hydrophobic, gravitate towards and surround the dirt
(fat or oil with dust absorbed in it). The short polar end containing the
carboxylate ion, face the water away from the dirt. A number of soap
molecules surround or encircle dirt and grease in a clustered structure called
'micelles', which encircles such particles and emulsify them.
Cleansing action of soaps decreases in hard water. Hard water contains
calcium and magnesium ions which react with sodium carbonate to produce
insoluble carbonates of higher fatty acids.
2C17H35COONa +Ca2+ C17H35COO) 2 Ca +2Na+
2C17H35COONa + Mg2+ (C17H35COO) 2 Mg +2Na+
This hardness can be removed by addition of Sodium Carbonate.
Ca2++ Na2CO3 CaCO3 + 2Na+
Mg2++ Na2CO3 MgCO3 + 2Na+
HYPOTHESIS
We hypothesize that the foaming capacities of
different soaps vary significantly due to
differences in their chemical formulations. Soaps
with a higher concentration of surfactants and
foaming agents are expected to produce more
foam than those designed for mildness or
moisturizing effects.
It is also anticipated that soaps marketed as
'detergent-based' or 'strong stain removers' will
produce more foam compared to beauty or bathing
soaps, which generally prioritize skin-friendliness
over foaming.
Aim
To compare the foaming capacities of
five different soaps
APPARATUS :
5 test tubes, 5 conical flasks(100ml),
test tube stand, burner and stop
watch.
MATERIALS REQUIRED :
1. Samples of different soaps: Lux, Rin, Dove, Surf
Excel, Pears (minimum five types)
2. Analytical balance for accurate weighing of soap
(1 gram each)
3. 5 measuring cylinders (100 mL capacity each)
4. Distilled water (free of impurities and minerals)
5. Stopwatch to measure standing time accurately
6. Measuring cylinder for water measurement
7. Knife or grater to finely cut soap pieces
8. Glass rods or spoons for stirring
9. Clean beakers (250 mL capacity) for dissolving
soap
THEORY :
Soap is a surfactant, or surface-active agent, that
lowers the surface tension of water and allows it to
spread and penetrate more easily.
When soap is dissolved in water and agitated (such
as through shaking), it traps air and creates
bubbles or foam. The stability and volume of this
foam depend on several factors, including the type
of surfactants used, presence of additives, pH, and
concentration.
Commercial soaps may contain synthetic
detergents, perfumes, stabilizers, and moisturizing
agents which influence the foaming capacity. Some
soaps prioritize cleansing power (e.g., Rin, Surf
Excel), while others (e.g., Dove, Pears) are
formulated to be gentle on the skin with added
moisturizers or milder surfactants that reduce
foam.
This experiment helps us observe how these
differences translate into measurable foaming
capacities under identical conditions.
The foam is formed and the time taken
for disappearances of foam in all cases
is compared. The lesser the time taken
by a solution for disappearance of
foam, the lower is its foaming capacity.
PROCEDURE :
Five conical flask (100 ml each) are
taken and numbered 1 to 5
In each of these flasks equal amount
(say 5 gm) of the given samples of
soap shavings or granules are taken
and 50ml of distilled water is added.
Each conical flask is heated few
minutes to dissolve all the soap
completely.
In a test tube stand, five big clean
and dry test tubes are taken and
numbered 1 to 5.
One ml of the five soap solution is
then poured in the test tubes of
corresponding number
10ml of distilled water is then added
to each test tube.
Test tube no 1 is then shaken
vigoursly 5 times.
The foam would be formed in the
empty space above the container.
Stop watch is started immediately
and the time taken for the
disappearance is noted
Similarly the other test tubes are
shaken well for equal number of
times( i.e.-5 times) with
approximately with the same force
and the time taken for the
disappearance of foam in each case is
recorded.
The lesser the time taken for the
disappearance of foam, lower is its
foaming capacity.
Observation:
Observ Amount of each 5 gm
ation: sample taken
50 ml
Amount of distilled
water taken
1 ml
Volume of each
soap taken 10ml
Volume of distilled
water added
CONCLUSION
The experiment demonstrates that different
soaps have varied foaming capacities due to
differences in their formulation.
Soaps intended for tough stain removal and
general cleaning (Surf Excel, Rin) tend to foam
more, while skincare-focused soaps (Pears,
Dove) prioritize gentleness over foam
production.
While foam can be an indicator of surfactant
activity, it does not always equate to better
cleaning. Some effective soaps produce less
foam due to the absence of harsh detergents.
Thus, the choice of soap should depend on the
intended use—strong cleaning or skin care.
This project has helped us better understand
the science of surfactants and how consumer
preferences often align with visible indicators
like foaming
The soap for which the time taken for the
disappearance of foam is highest has maximum
foaming capacity and is the best quality soap
among the soaps tested
PRECAUTIONS
1. Ensure that all soap samples are of equal mass
(1 gram).
2. Use distilled water to eliminate any external
mineral influence.
3. Shake all cylinders with equal force and number
of shakes to maintain consistency.
4. Use clean and dry cylinders for each reading to
avoid contamination.
5. Take multiple readings and average them to
ensure accuracy.
6. Allow the foam to settle for exactly 2 minutes
each time before recording the height.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
I HAVE TAKEN HELP FROM:
Internet:
[Link]
[Link]
Books:
Comprehensive Practical Chemistry
NCERT Text Book