How will be the structure of Micelles when soap is dissolved in hydrocarbons? How will Michelle structure look like with a diagram
Solution
Soap has one polar end (the end with sodium or potassium ion) and one non-polar end (the end with fatty acid chain) as shown in the figure. The polar end is hydrophilic in nature i.e., this end is attracted towards water. The non-polar end is hydrophobic, but lypophilic in nature i.e., it is attracted towards hydrocarbons, but not towards water.
When soap molecules are present in water, the molecules arrange themselves in the form of a cluster in such a manner that their hydrophobic ends are away from the water molecules and their hydrophilic or ionic ends are towards the water molecules. This is known as micelle formation and the cluster that is formed is called a micelle.
But when soap is dissolved in hydrocarbon, the soap molecules arrange themselves in the form of a cluster in such a manner that their hydrophobic ends are projected outwards towards the hydrocarbon molecules and their hydrophilic or ionic ends are towards the water molecules (towards inner side). Thus, an inverted micelle structure is formed.
Soap has one polar end (the end with sodium or potassium ion) and one non-polar end (the end with fatty acid chain) as shown in the figure. The polar end is hydrophilic in nature i.e., this end is attracted towards water. The non-polar end is hydrophobic, but lypophilic in nature i.e., it is attracted towards hydrocarbons, but not towards water.
When soap molecules are present in water, the molecules arrange themselves in the form of a cluster in such a manner that their hydrophobic ends are away from the water molecules and their hydrophilic or ionic ends are towards the water molecules. This is known as micelle formation and the cluster that is formed is called a micelle.
But when soap is dissolved in hydrocarbon, the soap molecules arrange themselves in the form of a cluster in such a manner that their hydrophobic ends are projected outwards towards the hydrocarbon molecules and their hydrophilic or ionic ends are towards the water molecules (towards inner side). Thus, an inverted micelle structure is formed.