What is the simple chemistry behind soaps, how is it polar and non polar at the same time?

Question

Why does the formation of soap allow it to pick up different items?

In: Chemistry

Answer 1

Think of it like an adapter. Soaps have a small polar “head” (e.g. a sulfate group or carboxylate group) followed by a tail of nonpolar stuff (i.e. plain hydrocarbon chain). One end goes on the grease, one end goes on the water.