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Is the soap solution acidic, basic or neutral? How would you verify it?

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Last updated date: 19th Sep 2024
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Answer
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Hint :Soap is made up of a weak acid (fatty acids) and a strong base (lye), resulting in what is known as "alkali salt," or a salt with a basic pH. When you put a pH strip (also known as a litmus test) in soapy water, it usually comes back with an $ 8 $ or $ 9 $ .

Complete Step By Step Answer:
Soaps are fatty acid sodium or potassium salts that are water soluble. The process is known as saponification, and it involves heating a strong base with a fatty acid or fat (or oils) to produce a salt and an alkanol (usually glycerin). Soap with water has a pH above $ 7 $ , has a basic behavior, and tastes sour, implying that the base has a sour taste as well.
Fatty acids typically have $ 12 $ to $ 18 $ carbon atoms. Liquid soaps are usually potassium salts of fatty acids, whereas solid soaps are usually sodium salts of fatty acids. Soaps are slightly basic because they are the salts of strong bases and weak acids. If a soap is too basic, it can harm the skin, the surfaces it's supposed to clean, and the clothes it's supposed to clean.

Note :
A base is a chemical that takes hydrogen ions while an acid donates hydrogen ions. Because like dissolves in like, the soap molecule's nonpolar end (hydrophobic or water-fearing half) may dissolve oily grime, while the polar or ionic end (hydrophilic or water-loving part) attracts water molecules. As a result, debris from the cleansed surface will be drawn away and suspended in water.