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Science (086) — CBSE Class 10 board question

Q1. [5] § 4.5 SOAPS AND DETERGENTS
Answer the following:
  1. (i) With the help of diagram, show the formation of micelles, when soap is applied on oily dirt.
  2. (ii) Take two test tubes X and Y with 10 mL of hard water in each. In test tube 'X', add few drops of soap solution and in test tube 'Y' add a few drops of detergent solution. Shake both the test tubes for the same period. (1) In which test tube the formation of foam will be more ? Why ? (2) In which test tube is a curdy solid formed ? Why ?
Previously asked in CBSE board exam
2023 31/1/1 Q34(b)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 06:51 · grounding rag
Model Answer

(i) Formation of Micelles:

Soap molecules have a hydrophilic (water-loving) head and a hydrophobic (water-repelling) tail. When soap is applied on oily dirt, the hydrophobic tails dissolve into the oil/grease, while the hydrophilic heads remain in water. Soap molecules arrange themselves around the oil droplet forming a micelle.

Diagram:

```
Water
↑↑↑↑↑ ← Hydrophilic heads (–)
||||
[OIL] ← Hydrophobic tails inside
||||
↑↑↑↑↑
Water
```
(Circular cluster: tails pointing inward toward oil, heads pointing outward toward water)

The micelle keeps oil suspended in water and is washed away easily.

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(ii)

(1) Foam will be more in test tube Y (detergent).

Detergents work effectively in hard water because they do not react with calcium or magnesium ions present in it, so they continue to produce foam freely.

(2) A curdy white solid (scum) is formed in test tube X (soap).

Soap reacts with calcium and magnesium salts present in hard water to form an insoluble precipitate called scum (curdy solid). This reduces soap's cleansing ability and produces no lather.

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Explanation
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Previous-year CBSE Grade 10 board exam questions, organised by subject and chapter, each with a model answer — free to read and print.