Which of the following statements about soapless detergents is correct? They
Answer Details
Soapless detergents, also known as synthetic detergents, are different from soaps in that they do not contain fatty acids as their active ingredient. Rather, they contain synthetic surfactants that are more soluble in water and are better at removing dirt and oils.
Of the given options, the correct statement is that soapless detergents lather readily with hard water. This is because hard water contains dissolved metal ions, such as calcium and magnesium, which can react with the soap molecules and form an insoluble precipitate, reducing its cleaning ability. However, since synthetic detergents do not contain the same fatty acid molecules as soaps, they do not form this precipitate and can therefore lather well even in hard water.