Surfactants lower surface tension of liquids by increasing contact with other substances. They are used in various products, including soap and shaving cream, and can be toxic. Pulmonary surfactant helps breathing.
A surfactant is a compound that lowers the surface tension of a liquid by increasing the contact between the liquid and another substance. There are a wide variety of these compounds that work with oil, water, and an assortment of other liquids. Many companies produce a range of surfactants for various purposes, from soaps to inks. They are also sometimes referred to as “wetting agents”.
The term is a compound of “surface agent”, referring to the fact that these substances interact with the surface of a liquid to change its properties. They work through a process known as ‘adsorption’, which means they build up on the surface of a liquid, creating a film that reduces its surface tension.
One of the more famous surfactants is soap, which is used to break the surface tension of water so it can penetrate more completely. The foaming action of soap helps the water penetrate under dirt and grease on surfaces such as dishes, hands and fabrics, allowing the water to wash away the dirt. As anyone who has tried washing without soap knows, the high surface tension of plain water makes cleaning very difficult.
Surfactants can also function as lubricants, such as in the case of shaving cream, which makes it easier to run a razor along the skin to remove unwanted hair. They are also used in sanitizers, anti-fog liquids, adhesives, emulsifiers and softeners, among numerous other substances. In some cases, these compounds can be toxic or pose a health risk, depending on the materials they contain, and it’s a good idea for users to read labels to ensure they’re being used correctly.
The term is also used in the medical community to refer specifically to a substance secreted by the cells lining the lungs. Pulmonary surfactant makes people breathe easier by reducing the surface tension in the lungs. Without this substance in the lungs, people would have difficulty breathing and their breathing would be much noisier. Many of the breathing problems in premature babies are caused by a lack of surfactant, and some rare lung diseases can also interfere with its production and function.
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