Detergents, unlike soap, do not form insoluble precipitates with calcium and magnesium ions present in hard water. This allows detergents to remain effective even in hard water conditions.
How do detergents differ from soap in their ability to function effectively in hard water?
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Detergents differ from soap in their ability to function effectively in hard water due to their chemical structure. While soap molecules form insoluble precipitates with calcium and magnesium ions in hard water, leading to reduced cleaning effectiveness and the formation of scum, detergents contain synthetic surfactants that remain soluble in hard water. The charged ends of detergent molecules do not react with calcium and magnesium ions, preventing scum formation. This allows detergents to maintain their cleaning efficacy in hard water, effectively interacting with grease and dirt while remaining dispersed, overcoming the limitations of soap in such conditions.