Question

Differentiate between soap and detergent.

Answer 1

Soaps	Detergents
Soaps are sodium or potassium salts of long chain carboxylic acids.	Detergents are ammonium or solphonate salts of long chain carboxylic acids.
Soaps have lesser cleansing action or quality as compared to detergents.	Detergents have better cleansing action as compared to soaps.
Soaps are not suitable for washing with hard water as it forms insoluble scum.	Detergents do not form insoluble scum with hard water.
Soaps are prepared from fats or vegetable oils.	Detergents are not prepared from fats or vegetable oils.
Soaps are more biodegradable.	Detergents are less biodegradable.