Question

A student identifies a compound that is composed of glycerol and three fatty acids. what property would the student expect this compound to have if one of the fatty acids is unsaturated? the compound would

Answer 1

Answer:

decompose at room temperature

 

be a solid at room temperature

 

be a liquid at room temperature

 

be a gas at room temperature

Explanation:

Answer 2

Triglycerides are formed when three fatty acids are condensed with glycerol with elimination of three moles of water.

Depending upon the chemical composition of fatty acids the triglyceride may exist either in semi solid / solid form or in liquid form.

Fats (semi solid / solid form):

If all the three fatty acids forming triglyceride are saturated then the triglyceride will be in solid state. This is because the long chains of fatty acids are closely packed and increases the intermolecular interactions.

Oils (liquid form):

If one or more of the fatty acid is unsaturated having cis configuration the triglyceride will exist in a liquid state. This happens because the long chains of fatty acid get kinked, resulting in decreasing the interactions between molecules hence exist as a liquid at room temperature.