Soaps are sodium or potassium salt of long chain fatty acids like

Options

A. Palmitic acid
B. Oleic acid
C. Stearic acid
D. All of these

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Soaps**: Soaps are made from the saponification process, which involves the reaction of a fat or oil with a strong base. The result is a salt of a fatty acid.

2. **Identifying the Components**: The primary components of soaps are long-chain fatty acids. These fatty acids typically have a carbon chain length of 12 to 18 carbon atoms.

3. **Types of Soaps**: The two most common types of soaps are sodium soaps (which are solid) and potassium soaps (which are liquid). Sodium soaps are formed when sodium hydroxide is used, while potassium soaps are formed with potassium hydroxide.

4. **Examples of Long-Chain Fatty Acids**: Common long-chain fatty acids used in soap making include stearic acid (C18), palmitic acid (C16), and oleic acid (C18:1). These fatty acids are derived from natural oils and fats.

5. **Conclusion**: Therefore, soaps are sodium or potassium salts of long-chain fatty acids such as stearic acid, palmitic acid, and oleic acid.