Visual Observations of the Behavior of Soil Particles in Dilute Aqueous Soap Systems

Abstract

The nature of one type of detergent action was demonstrated visually upon the addi tion of graphite to soap solutions of laundry strength. The graphite became coated with elongated soap particles and superficially bore a resemblance to pieces of candy covered with shredded coconut. The soap particles, which may bear some relation to micelles, measured 100 to 150 A wide and from 500 to 1500 A long. This exploratory study in volved an electron microscopical examination of specimens from which the water had been removed while in the frozen state.