Question

Give equations to show the reactions of sodium myristate with the following.(a) Ca²⁺ (b) Mg²⁺ (c) Fe³⁺

Short answer

(a)

(b)

(c)

Step-by-step solution

Introduction

Sodium myristate is a surfactant used in soaps and detergent, it has the tendency to precipitate out of solution in hard water. Hard water is water that is acidic or that contains ions of calcium, magnesium, or iron.

(a)

Sodium myristate react with calcium ion (soap) to form insoluble salts called hard-water scum.

(b)

Sodium myristate react with magnesium ion (soap) to form insoluble salts called hard-water scum.

(c)

Sodium myristate react with ferric ion (soap) to form insoluble salts called hard-water scum.