How Do Soap and Water Make Us Clean? | Chemistry for Kids

SciShow Kids
11 May 201503:27
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this engaging script, the narrator discusses the concept of learning through inquiry, prompted by a conversation with a 'giant squid' about floating and bathing. The script delves into the science behind why some substances float and the necessity of bathing to remove dirt, sweat, and oils from the skin. It explains how water dissolves and washes away dirt, while soap, with its dual attraction to water and oil, helps lift and rinse off the stubborn oils that water alone cannot. The explanation is aimed at educating children on the importance of hygiene and the role of soap in the cleaning process.

Takeaways
  • 🧐 Asking questions is a great way to learn, as no one knows everything.
  • 🐙 The giant squid's curiosity about baths led to a discussion on why things float in water.
  • 🛁 Baths are a way for humans to clean themselves by soaking in warm, soapy water.
  • 💧 Water is good at dissolving many substances, breaking them down into smaller pieces that mix with the water.
  • 👐 The force of water helps to wash away dirt, while its dissolving properties help to remove some of the mud's components.
  • 🧼 Our skin produces natural oils and sweat, which can attract dirt and dust, leading to a buildup that's good for bacteria.
  • 🛀 Regular washing is important to prevent the buildup of dirt and bacteria on the skin.
  • 🚿 Water alone can dissolve salt and dirt but cannot dissolve oil due to its inability to mix with it.
  • 🧼 Soap helps to remove oil from the skin by having particles that are attracted to both water and oil, forming a bond between them.
  • 🔬 Soap particles have two ends, one attracted to water and the other to oil, which allows them to lift oil away when rinsed.
  • 💧 When soap, oil, and water are mixed, the soap helps to carry the oil away with the water down the drain, resulting in clean skin.
Q & A

  • What is the best way to learn something according to the script?

    -The best way to learn something is by asking questions, as no one knows everything.

  • Why did the giant squid ask about baths?

    -The giant squid asked about baths because they live in the ocean and do not take baths, and were curious about the human practice.

  • What is the purpose of taking a bath according to the script?

    -The purpose of taking a bath is to clean oneself by soaking in a tub full of warm soapy water.

  • How does water help in cleaning when you rinse your muddy hands?

    -Water helps in cleaning by pushing the mud off your hands and dissolving some of the components of the mud, which then get washed down the drain.

  • Why does the script mention that water dissolves a lot of things?

    -Water dissolves a lot of things because it can break them down into smaller pieces that get mixed in with the water, aiding in the cleaning process.

  • What does the script say about how we get dirty?

    -We get dirty because our skin produces natural oil and sweat, which, when combined with dirt and dust, can lead to a buildup that attracts bacteria and other microorganisms.

  • Why can't water dissolve oil?

    -Water can't dissolve oil because oil and water don't mix due to the different properties of their particles; water particles are small and stick together tightly, while oil particles are larger and don't stick together as well.

  • How does soap help in washing away oil from the skin?

    -Soap helps by sticking to the oil due to its particles having one end attracted to oil and the other to water, allowing the oil to be washed away when rinsed off.

  • What happens when soap is mixed with oil and water?

    -When soap is mixed with oil and water, one side of the soap particles sticks to the oil and the other side to the water, forming a bond that can be rinsed away, taking the oil with it.

  • Why is it important to wash regularly according to the script?

    -It's important to wash regularly to prevent the buildup of dirt and oil, which can become a breeding ground for bacteria and other tiny living organisms.

  • How can viewers ask questions to the show as mentioned in the script?

    -Viewers can ask questions to the show by sending an email to kidscyshow.com.

Outlines
00:00
🧼 The Wonders of Bathing and Cleaning

The paragraph discusses the importance of asking questions to learn new things, using the example of a giant squid's curiosity about human bathing habits. It explains the concept of bathing as a method of cleaning oneself with soapy water and how water dissolves dirt and other substances. The paragraph also delves into the natural oils and sweat produced by the skin, which can attract dirt and lead to bacterial growth if not cleaned regularly. It further explains the limitations of water in dissolving oil and introduces soap as a solution to remove oil from the skin due to its dual attraction to both water and oil, resulting in a clean body.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Dissolving
Dissolving refers to the process where a solute is uniformly distributed within a solvent, creating a solution. In the video, it is explained that water is good at dissolving many substances, which is essential for understanding how water helps in cleaning. For example, when rinsing muddy hands, water dissolves some of the mud, aiding in the cleaning process.
💡Soap
Soap is a cleaning agent that contains molecules with both water-attracting and oil-attracting ends. The video explains that soap helps in cleaning by sticking to oil, which water alone cannot dissolve. This dual attraction allows soap to lift oil and dirt off the skin and wash them away, as demonstrated when discussing how soap and water work together in a bath.
💡Bath
A bath is a method of cleaning oneself by soaking in a tub filled with warm water, often with added soap or other cleaning agents. The video discusses the concept of bathing as a way to clean the body, highlighting the use of water and soap to dissolve dirt and oil, respectively.
💡Skin Oil
Skin oil is a natural substance produced by the skin to keep it soft and healthy. The video explains that skin oil, along with sweat, can attract dirt and dust, leading to a buildup that requires regular washing to prevent bacterial growth. The concept of skin oil is important for understanding why and how we get dirty.
💡Sweat
Sweat is a bodily fluid primarily composed of water and salt, which helps regulate body temperature. In the video, it is mentioned that when sweat dries, it leaves behind salt and other substances that can attract dirt. This explains why regular cleaning is necessary to avoid the accumulation of dirt and bacteria.
💡Dirt
Dirt, in the context of the video, refers to the unwanted particles and substances that can accumulate on the skin due to daily activities. It is highlighted that dirt sticks to the skin's natural oil and sweat, necessitating regular washing to maintain cleanliness and prevent bacterial growth.
💡Bacteria
Bacteria are microscopic organisms that can grow in environments where dirt and oil accumulate on the skin. The video explains the importance of washing to prevent the buildup of bacteria, which can lead to health issues, by using water to dissolve salts and soap to remove oils.
💡Cleaning
Cleaning, in the video, is the process of removing dirt, oil, and other substances from the skin to maintain hygiene and health. It is achieved through the use of water to dissolve some impurities and soap to lift and wash away oils that water cannot dissolve.
💡Giant Squid
The giant squid is a character in the video who asks questions about human practices, such as bathing. The mention of the giant squid serves as a narrative device to introduce the topic of the video and to pose questions that lead to the discussion of how baths and soap work.
💡Zoe
Zoe is a viewer mentioned in the video who asked a question about how baths work and the role of soap and water in cleaning. Her question is used as a catalyst for the detailed explanation provided in the video, demonstrating the importance of asking questions in the learning process.
💡Email
The video script ends with an invitation for viewers to ask their own questions via email, which is a way for the show to engage with its audience and encourage interaction. The mention of email serves as a call to action, inviting viewers to participate in the learning process.
Highlights

The best way to learn something is by asking questions, as no one knows everything.

Discussed the concept of why some things float in water while others don't, in relation to the giant squid.

Explained the human practice of taking baths to clean ourselves with warm soapy water.

Clarified the misconception about humans walking around dirty all day from the perspective of the giant squid.

Highlighted a viewer's question about how baths work and the cleaning process involving soap and water.

Described water's ability to dissolve many substances by breaking them down into smaller pieces.

Explained the dual process of water washing away mud: the force of water and the dissolving action.

Discussed how our skin produces natural oil and sweat, which can attract dirt and dust throughout the day.

Mentioned the importance of washing to prevent the buildup of dirt, oil, and bacteria on the skin.

Clarified that water cannot dissolve oil due to the difference in particle interaction between oil and water.

Introduced the role of soap in cleaning by sticking to oil and helping to wash it away despite water's inability to dissolve oil.

Detailed the dual-nature of soap particles, with one end attracted to water and the other to oil, facilitating the cleaning process.

Described the mechanism by which soap, oil, and water mix, allowing for the removal of oil during rinsing.

Summarized how water and soap work together to achieve a clean body after a bath.

Encouraged viewers to ask their own questions and engage with the show by sending an email.

Invited viewers to share their knowledge with the giant squid if they encounter it before the host does.

Transcripts

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Cleaning ScienceSoap MechanicsWater PropertiesBath BenefitsOil and WaterSkin HealthHygiene TipsDirt DisposalBacterial GrowthSquid Inquiry