Given below is the chemical formula of `CH_3(CH_2)_14-overset(O)overset(||)C-OH`

Options

A. Palmitic acid
B. Stearic acid
C. Glycerol
D. Galactose

Answer

To solve the question regarding the chemical formula `CH_3(CH_2)_{14}-\overset{O}{\overset{||}C}-OH`, we will analyze the structure step by step.

### Step 1: Identify the Structure
The given formula can be broken down as follows:
- `CH_3` represents a methyl group.
- `(CH_2)_{14}` indicates a long hydrocarbon chain consisting of 14 methylene (-CH2-) groups.
- `-C(=O)-OH` indicates the presence of a carboxylic acid functional group (–COOH).

### Step 2: Count the Carbon Atoms
From the breakdown:
- There is 1 carbon in the methyl group (`CH_3`).
- There are 14 carbons from the methylene groups (`(CH_2)_{14}`).
- There is 1 carbon in the carboxylic acid group.

Total carbon count = 1 (from CH3) + 14 (from CH2) + 1 (from COOH) = 16 carbons.

### Step 3: Determine the Hydrogen Atoms
Now, let's calculate the number of hydrogen atoms:
- The methyl group contributes 3 hydrogens.
- Each methylene group contributes 2 hydrogens, and there are 14 such groups, contributing 14 × 2 = 28 hydrogens.
- The carboxylic acid group contributes 1 hydrogen.

Total hydrogen count = 3 (from CH3) + 28 (from CH2) + 1 (from COOH) = 32 hydrogens.

### Step 4: Write the Molecular Formula
Now that we have counted the carbon and hydrogen atoms, we can write the molecular formula:
- Total Carbons (C) = 16
- Total Hydrogens (H) = 32
- There are 2 Oxygens (from the carboxylic acid group).

Thus, the molecular formula is C16H32O2.

### Step 5: Identify the Compound
The molecular formula C16H32O2 corresponds to palmitic acid, which is a common saturated fatty acid.

### Conclusion
The answer to the question is **palmitic acid**.