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

soap molecules are relatively long molecules. The arrangement of the atoms (and their electrons) leads to one end being somewhat charged (polar) and the other end non-polar. Water is polar, so the polar end of the soap tends to “stick” to water, while the other end tends to stick non-polar things like grease. When you rinse with water, the water pulls the soap with the attached greasy thing down the drain