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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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Narrative
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.