Sodium stearate (a white solid) is the most common type of soap. Each molecule consists of a long non-polar covalent hydrocarbon ‘tail’ and a polar, ionic ‘head’ where the charge is.

Soap is more than just a nice-smelling bar; it’s a microscopic cleaning force. Each soap molecule has two ends—one that loves water (hydrophilic) and another that loves grease but repels water ...

To prevent the oil and water from separating (and thus the food spoiling), soap-like chemicals called ... One or two fatty acid groups can be added to a molecule of glycerol.