alleryIn a soap molecule used for cleaning, which part is hydrophobic and attaches itself to oil and dirt?
AThe water-loving end
BThe polar carboxylate head
CThe sodium ion
DThe non-polar hydrocarbon tail
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. The non-polar hydrocarbon tail
1. A soap molecule has a polar (hydrophilic) head and a non-polar (hydrophobic) tail.
2. The polar carboxylate head and the water-loving end describe the same hydrophilic part, which faces water, so they are wrong.
3. The non-polar hydrocarbon tail is hydrophobic and is attracted to oil and dirt.
4. Hence the dirt-grabbing part is the non-polar hydrocarbon tail.
_Source: Samacheer Kalvi (TN SCERT) Class 10 Science, Unit 11 "Carbon and its Compounds", p.175_
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