What is a surfactant?
Q: What is a surfactant?
A: A surfactant is a chemical that decreases the surface tension of a liquid.
Q: What are the benefits of using a surfactant in cleaning products?
A: Using surfactants in cleaning products makes the liquid better at cleaning, as it can soak into things more easily and create bubbles.
Q: Can surfactants be used in non-cleaning products?
A: Yes, surfactants can be used in a variety of industries, such as the pharmaceutical and agrichemical industries.
Q: How do surfactants lower surface tension?
A: Surfactants contain both hydrophobic (water-repelling) and hydrophilic (water-attracting) parts, which work to separate and reduce the tension at the surface of a liquid.
Q: How do bubbles form easier with the use of surfactants?
A: When the surface tension of a liquid is lowered, it takes less energy to create a bubble. Therefore, bubbles form easier with the use of surfactants.
Q: Are surfactants safe to use?
A: Yes, surfactants are generally safe to use in cleaning products and are approved for use by regulatory agencies.
Q: How do surfactants improve the effectiveness of soap?
A: By lowering the surface tension of water, surfactants help water form a solution with greasy or oily substances, allowing them to be easily washed away.
