Animation of a soap removing grease from a surface. Initially, a blob of grease (brown) is attached to the surface. Water is added, but the polar molecules of water do not interact with the non-polar grease. When molecules of a stearate soap are added, however, they do interact. The stearate molecules have a polar head (red) and a long non-polar hydrophobic tail. The non-polar tails (green) embed in the grease, with the polar head of the molecule remaining outside in the water. As more detergent interacts, the grease is lifted from the surface, forming a spherical micelle suspended in the water. The polar heads sticking out of the micelle interact with the polar water molecules, allowing the grease blob to be washed away, leaving a clean surface. | |
Lizenzart: | Lizenzpflichtig |
Credit: | Science Photo Library / Baugh, Jon |
Modell-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Länge: | 01:10 Minuten |
Seitenverhältnis: | 16:9 |
Restrictions: | - |