Soaps are

Options

A. sodium salts of long chain fatty acids
B. potassium salts of long chain fatty acids
C. sodium salts of short chain fatty acids
D. Both (1) and (2)

Answer

**Step-by-Step Text Solution:**

1. **Definition of Soaps**: Soaps are defined as water-soluble sodium or potassium salts of fatty acids. This means that they can dissolve in water and are derived from fatty acids.

2. **Composition of Soaps**: The primary components of soaps are fats or oils. These fats or oils are triglycerides, which are esters formed from glycerol and fatty acids.

3. **Chemical Reaction**: The process of making soap involves a chemical reaction known as saponification. In this reaction, fats or oils are treated with a strong alkali, such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or potassium hydroxide (KOH).

4. **Formation of Soap**: During saponification, the triglycerides react with the strong alkali to produce glycerol and soap (the fatty acid salts). The general reaction can be summarized as:
\[ \text{Fat/Oil} + \text{Strong Alkali} \rightarrow \text{Soap} + \text{Glycerol} \]

5. **Properties of Soaps**: Soaps have amphiphilic properties, meaning they have both hydrophilic (water-attracting) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) parts. This allows them to effectively clean by surrounding and emulsifying oils and dirt, which can then be washed away with water.

6. **Conclusion**: In summary, soaps are made from the saponification of fats or oils with a strong alkali, resulting in the formation of sodium or potassium salts of fatty acids, which are effective cleaning agents.

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