Multiple Choice
Under which circumstance do disposable gloves provide limited chemical protection?
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1. Intro to General Chemistry
Chemical Properties
Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes soap in terms of its chemical properties?
A
Sodium carbonate
B
A glycerol ester
C
The salt of a fatty acid
D
Trisodium phosphate
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the chemical nature of soap: Soap is typically made from the reaction between a fatty acid and a base, usually sodium hydroxide (NaOH). This process is known as saponification.
Identify the components involved in saponification: Fatty acids are long-chain carboxylic acids, and when they react with a base like NaOH, they form a salt and water.
Recognize the product of saponification: The salt formed from the reaction between a fatty acid and a base is known as a soap. This salt is the key component that gives soap its cleaning properties.
Differentiate soap from other compounds: Sodium carbonate, glycerol ester, and trisodium phosphate are different chemical compounds. Sodium carbonate is a basic salt, glycerol ester is a type of lipid, and trisodium phosphate is a cleaning agent but not a soap.
Conclude with the correct description: Based on the chemical properties and the process of saponification, soap is best described as the salt of a fatty acid.
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