Question

How many tails do detergents like SDS have?

1) One
2) Two
3) Three
4) Cannot be determined

Answer 1

Detergents like SDS have one hydrophobic tail and a hydrophilic head, making the number of tails they have one.

Step-by-step explanation:

Detergents like SDS (Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate) are a type of surfactant used commonly in cleaning products. SDS molecules have a characteristic structure with one hydrophobic (nonpolar) tail and a hydrophilic (ionic) head.

The tail is a hydrocarbon chain that helps the detergent associate with oily and greasy stains, while the sulfate head remains soluble in water, allowing the grease to be washed away. Based on this structure, the number of tails that detergents like SDS have is one.