How does the presence of soap affect hydrogen bonds between different water molecules?

• A. Soap has no effect on hydrogen bonds between water molecules.
• B. Soap strengthens hydrogen bonds between water molecules.
• C. Soap disrupts hydrogen bonds between water molecules, reducing their strength.
• D. Soap causes water molecules to form covalent bonds with each other.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that water molecules are polar and form hydrogen bonds between the hydrogen atom of one molecule and the oxygen atom of another.
2. Recognize that soap molecules are amphiphilic, meaning they have a hydrophobic (nonpolar) tail and a hydrophilic (polar) head.
3. When soap is added to water, the hydrophobic tails tend to avoid water and interact with nonpolar substances, while the hydrophilic heads interact with water molecules.
4. This interaction disrupts the regular hydrogen bonding network among water molecules because soap molecules insert themselves between water molecules, weakening the hydrogen bonds.
5. Therefore, the presence of soap reduces the strength and number of hydrogen bonds between water molecules, rather than strengthening or having no effect on them.