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Kids&Science Water Use Washing Tensides
Index
See also: Foam and Soap Bubbles, How Do You Get a White Vest?, Alternatives to Non-Biodegradable Tensides, Milk Froth - Beer Froth 

 

Tensides

What Are Tensides?

Tensides are detergent substances. A tenside consists of a polar and a non-polar part. The non-polar part consists of a long hydrocarbon chain. The polar part consists of a negatively charged group (anionic tensides) or of a group of oxygen atoms, which are separated by two carbon atoms, and an OH-group (non-anionic tensides).

Non-anionic tenside:

Simplified:

Anionic tenside:

Simplified:

 

Experiment
Emulsifying Fat:

 

Setup:

2 test tubes, test tube rack, 2 rubber stoppers, tap water,
oil, dishwashing liquid

 

 

 

Experiment:

We pour water into both test tubes. Afterwards, we added oil and detergent. We shook the test tubes.

Observation:

The content of the glass turned white and foam formed. The dishwashing liquid and the oil floated on the surface.

Conclusion:

Detergents turn to foam when they come in contact with water. Oil and dishwashing liquid are lighter than water.

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