2006-09-03 02:56:41 · 6 answers · asked by pandora 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Homework Help
I saw that tv show too where they were making bombs out of soap.
2006-09-03 02:58:09 · answer #1 · answered by WendyD1999 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Soap is made by boiling an alkali (sodium hydroxide is ideal) with a vegetable oil or an animal fat.
The Romans were the first to produce soap by heating beef fat, water and wood ash together. The wood ash contains natural alkali.
Oil + alkali = soap + glycerine (a useful by-product)
2006-09-03 10:05:59 · answer #2 · answered by lykovetos 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sodium hydroxide is commonly called lye. when mixed with oils or fats it forms soap.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_hydroxide#Soap_making
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saponification
2006-09-03 10:07:54 · answer #3 · answered by altgrave 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they add it to the mix in the manufacturing process.
Hope This Helps
2006-09-03 09:58:01 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
DON'T KNOW BUT ALKALI IS USED IN SOAPS DUE TO WHICH IT BECOMES SOAPY TO TOUCH
2006-09-03 10:04:53 · answer #5 · answered by your pal 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I believe it is a lathering agent.
2006-09-03 10:02:41 · answer #6 · answered by Fleur de Lis 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋