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Cleansing action of soap occurs because:

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Last updated date: 27th Jul 2024
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Answer
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Hint : In order to the question, to know the reason behind the cleansing action of soap, we should go through the mechanism of soap, or how soap works or reacts by releasing heat after the foam is created. We will also discuss more about the soap.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
The cleansing action of soap is due to emulsification and micelle formation. Soaps are basically sodium and potassium salts of long-chain fatty acids, $R - COO - N{a^ + }$ . The end of the molecule to which the sodium it attached is polar in nature, while the alkyl - end is non-polar. Or, in other words we can say that, since the insoluble species may be introduced into the micelle nucleus, which is then solubilized in the bulk solvent due to the head groups' favourable interactions with solvent species, this happens.
Soap is a fatty acid salt that is used to make a range of cleaning and lubricating products. Soaps are surfactants that are commonly used in the home for washing, bathing, and other forms of housekeeping. Soaps are used as thickeners, components of certain lubricants, and catalyst precursors in industrial environments.
When soap is used for washing, it dissolves particles and grime, allowing them to be removed from the item being washed. Soap destroys microorganisms in hand washing by disorganizing their membrane lipid bilayer and denaturing their proteins as a surfactant when lathered with a little water.

Note :
Soaps are cleansing agents capable of reacting with water and dislodging the unwanted particles from clothes or skin. The molecules of soap are sodium or potassium salts of long chain carboxylic acids.