Class 12 Chemistry - Chapter Chemistry in Everyday Life NCERT Solutions | Why do soaps not work in hard water?

Welcome to the NCERT Solutions for Class 12th Chemistry - Chapter Chemistry in Everyday Life. This page offers a step-by-step solution to the specific question from Exercise 2, Question 23: why do soaps not work in hard water....
Question 23

Why do soaps not work in hard water?

Answer
 

Soaps are sodium or potassium salts of long-chain fatty acids. Hard water contains calcium and magnesium ions. When soaps are dissolved in hard water, these ions displace sodium or potassium from their salts and form insoluble calcium or magnesium salts of fatty acids. These insoluble salts separate as scum.

This is the reason why soaps do not work in hard water.

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