Which of the following best describes the interaction of soap and water with oil?

The interaction of soap and water with oil is best described by the fact that soap aids in the suspension of oil particles in water. Soap molecules have a unique structure with a hydrophilic (water-attracting) "head" and a hydrophobic (water-repelling) "tail" that is attracted to oils and fats. When soap is mixed with oil and water, the hydrophobic tails of the soap molecules attach themselves to the oil, while the hydrophilic heads remain in the water. This creates micelles, where the oil is encapsulated by soap molecules, allowing the oil to be suspended in the water.

This ability to suspend oil particles in water allows for the effective cleaning power of soap, breaking the surface tension created by the oils and enabling the mixture to be rinsed away easily. Therefore, the role of soap is crucial in facilitating the emulsification of oil, making option C the best description of the interaction.