Question

The portion of the shampoo molecule that attracts water and repels dirt is the:

A) Surfactant
B) Emollient
C) pH adjuster
D) Conditioning agent

Choose the correct option that best describes the part of the shampoo molecule responsible for attracting water and repelling dirt in the field of cosmetology or chemistry.

Answer 1

The correct answer is A) Surfactant. Surfactants are the part of shampoo molecules that attract water and repel dirt, crucial for cleaning the hair and scalp effectively.

Step-by-step explanation:

The portion of the shampoo molecule responsible for attracting water and repelling dirt is known as a surfactant. Surfactants are active agents in shampoos that reduce the surface tension of water, allowing the shampoo to spread more easily through the hair.

They consist of two parts: a hydrophilic (water-attracting) head and a hydrophobic (dirt-repelling) tail. When you apply shampoo to your hair, the surfactant molecules surround dirt and oil on your scalp and hair. The hydrophobic tails attach to the oil and dirt, breaking them up and separating them from the hair, while the hydrophilic heads stay in contact with the water.

This action allows the dirt and oils to be rinsed away, leaving the hair clean.