Final answer:
Surfactants contain lipophilic and hydrophilic molecules, but the statement that surfactants prevent shampoo from lathering is not true. In fact, they facilitate lather and help remove oil from the hair by forming micelles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement about surfactants that is NOT true is that they prevent shampoo from lathering. Surfactants, which are surface-active agents, are composed of both a lipophilic (or hydrophobic) and a hydrophilic molecule. The hydrophobic part of a surfactant molecule is attracted to oil, grease, and dirt, which are typically nonpolar substances, while the hydrophilic part is attracted to water, which is polar.
Surfactants are key ingredients in shampoos and are used to remove oil from the hair. They work by surrounding oil droplets with their hydrophobic tail, while the hydrophilic head remains in the water, creating micelles that are then washed away. This action helps trap oil and grease, making them easier to rinse out of the hair. In fact, surfactants like sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate are important for creating the lather that helps with the cleaning process.
Surfactants have both amphipathic properties and amphiphilic characteristics, meaning they contain both water-loving and water-fearing parts, facilitating the emulsification and removal of oils when used in cleaning products like shampoos.