How are synthetic detergents better than soaps ?

Explanation

Soaps are sodium or potassium salts of higher fatty acids like steric acid `(C_(17)H_(35) COOH)`, plamitic acid `(C,SH,COOH) etc. Soaps cannot be used in hard water which contains `Ca^(2+)` or `Mg^(2+)` ions. This is becuase `Ca^(2+)` or `Mg^(2+)` salts of higher fatty acids are insoluble in water. Further soaps cannot be used in acidic medium because free fatty acids are not soluble is water.
On the other hand, synthetic detergents are generally sodium salts of sulphonic acids. Synthetic detergents can be used in hard water and in acidic medium because `Ca^(2+)` or `Mg^(2+)` salts of sulphonic acid and even sulphonic aci soluble in water.