Question

Detergent molecules can stabilize the emulsion of oil in water as well as remove dirt from soiled clothes. A typical detergent is sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), which has a formula of ${\mathbf{CH}}_3{\left({\mathbf{CH}}_2\right)}_{10}{\mathbf{CH}}_2{{\mathbf{SO}}_4}^{-}{\mathbf{NA}}^{+}$. In an aqueous solution, SDS suspends oil or dirt by forming small aggregates of detergent anions called micelles. Propose a structure for micelles.

Short answer

The micelles form so that the ionic ends of the detergent molecules, ends are exposedto the polar water molecules on the outside.

Dirt, which is basically non-polar is stabilized in the non-polar interior of the micelle and is washed away.

Step-by-step solution

Step 1:

In detergents micelles always have two ends which means that on the one side they have a polar part that will attract polar molecules and solutions and on the other side they have a non-polar part that then attracts non-polar molecules and solvents. The micelles form so that the ionic ends of the detergent molecules, $S{O}_4$ends are exposedto the polar water molecules on the outside, whereas the non-polar hydrocarbon chains from the detergent molecules are hidden from the water by pointing towards the inside of the micelle. Dirt, which is basically non-polar is stabilized in the non-polar interior of the micelle and is washed away.