Question

A "chemical-free" shampoo includes the ingredients water, cocomide, glycerin, and citric acid. Is the shampoo truly "chemical-free"?

Short answer

No, the shampoo is not 'chemical-free' since it contains chemical compounds.

Step-by-step solution

Define 'chemical-free'

A substance that is 'chemical-free' means it contains no chemicals at all. In a scientific context, a chemical is any substance composed of matter. This includes anything made of atoms and molecules.

Identify the ingredients

List the ingredients mentioned: water, cocomide, glycerin, and citric acid.

Classify each ingredient

Determine if each ingredient is a chemical.1. Water (H₂O) - A chemical compound composed of hydrogen and oxygen.2. Cocomide - Typically a form of coconut oil derivative, a chemical compound.3. Glycerin (C₃H₈O₃) - A chemical compound found in fats and oils.4. Citric acid (C₆H₈O₇) - An organic compound commonly found in citrus fruits.

Analyze the classification

Since all the listed ingredients are chemical compounds, the shampoo cannot be considered truly 'chemical-free'.

Key concepts

chemical compounds

Chemical compounds are substances composed of two or more different elements that are chemically bonded together. Each chemical compound has a unique composition and structure. Here are some key points:

• Compounds can be formed by chemical reactions between elements.
• Examples include water (H₂O) and carbon dioxide (CO₂).
• The properties of a compound are different from its component elements.

In the provided exercise, ingredients like water (H₂O), glycerin (C₃H₈O₃), and citric acid (C₆H₈O₇) are examples of chemical compounds. These compounds have specific molecular arrangements and specific properties.

chemical classification

Chemical classification involves categorizing substances based on their chemical composition and properties. This helps us understand the behavior and uses of different substances. There are several ways to classify chemicals:

Inorganic and Organic Compounds:

• Inorganic compounds typically do not contain carbon (e.g., water, H₂O).
• Organic compounds contain carbon and are often found in living organisms (e.g., citric acid, C₆H₈O₇).

By Function:

• Acids and Bases: Citric acid is an example of an acid.
• Salts: Formed from acid and base reactions.

By classifying the ingredients in the shampoo, we see that they all fall into the category of chemical compounds despite being marketed as 'chemical-free'.

organic compounds

Organic compounds are a major class of chemicals primarily made up of carbon atoms bonded with hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and other elements. They are the basis of all life forms. Some points to remember:

• Organic compounds can be synthetic or naturally occurring.
• They often contain carbon-carbon (C-C) or carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds.
• Examples include carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and acids like citric acid.

In the exercise, citric acid (C₆H₈O₇) is an example of an organic compound. It is found naturally in citrus fruits and is commonly used in food and personal care products. Understanding organic compounds helps us realize that labeling a product 'chemical-free' can be misleading if it contains such naturally occurring substances.