How does the addition of soap to water affect its surface tension?

1 question

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Q: How does the addition of soap to water affect its surface tension?

Solution: The addition of soap decreases the surface tension of water by disrupting the cohesive forces between water molecules.

Steps: 6

Step 1: Understand what surface tension is. Surface tension is the force that makes the surface of water behave like a stretched elastic sheet.
Step 2: Know that water molecules are attracted to each other. This attraction creates strong cohesive forces that keep the water molecules together.
Step 3: Learn that when soap is added to water, it mixes with the water molecules.
Step 4: Realize that soap molecules have a special structure. One part of the soap molecule likes water (hydrophilic) and the other part does not (hydrophobic).
Step 5: Understand that the soap molecules disrupt the cohesive forces between the water molecules. This means the water molecules are not as strongly attracted to each other anymore.
Step 6: Conclude that because the cohesive forces are weakened, the surface tension of the water decreases when soap is added.