Soap Emulsifies Hydrocarbons

CCA! Volume 5

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Soap Emulsifies Hydrocarbons

When kerosene and water are mixed, they separate quickly. Adding soap to the mixture, emulsifies the kerosene and disperses it throughout the water.


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2.5 MB, 42 seconds

File: MOVIES/KJORGANIC/SOAPEMUL.MOV

Voiceover
Water is added to a flask of colored kerosene. The flask is stoppered, shaken, and the two liquids separate. Soap is added to the flask and it is shaken again. The soap emulsifies the kerosene and disperses it throughout the water.

Discussion
Soap molecules have long hydrophobic hydrocarbon chains with polar hydrophilic ends. The molecule structure of soap allows it to interact with both polar and nonpolar molecules.

Design, Text, and Demonstration:
	Kristin Johnson	University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53706

Video production, editing, and voice:
	Jerrold J. Jacobsen	University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53706
	Greg Minix	University of Wisconsin - Madison, College of Engineering, Madison, WI 53706
	Michael Killips	University of Wisconsin - Madison, School of Nursing, Madison, WI 53706