surfactant
surfactant — noun
- surfactantsingular
- surfactantsplural
1. A chemical substance that lowers the natural pull on the surface of a liquid, so
A chemical substance that lowers the natural pull on the surface of a liquid, so the liquid can spread, wet surfaces, or form bubbles more easily.
Harper added surfactant to the dishwater to cut through the cooking grease.
collocation: added a few drops of surfactant
The laundry detergent contains a natural surfactant that removes dirt from clothes without harsh chemicals.
surfactant as cleaning ingredient in everyday product
In science class, Nadia explained how surfactants help oil and water mix in an emulsion.
This shampoo uses a mild surfactant so it cleans the hair without irritation.
Felipe watched the surfactant break the surface tension of water during the lab experiment.
- surface-active agent
The full scientific name that 'surfactant' is shortened from; equally technical.
- detergent
A common type of surfactant used in cleaning, but not all surfactants are detergents.
- wetting agent
A surfactant specifically used to help a liquid spread over a solid surface.
用法筆記
Often appears in combination with types such as 'anionic surfactant', 'non-ionic surfactant', or 'biodegradable surfactant' in product labels and scientific writing.