How many number of carbon atoms are present in palmitic acid inicluding carboxyl carbon?

Answer

To determine the number of carbon atoms present in palmitic acid, including the carboxyl carbon, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Structure of Palmitic Acid**:
Palmitic acid is a saturated fatty acid. Its chemical formula is C16H32O2. The structure consists of a long hydrocarbon chain with a carboxylic acid group at one end.

2. **Count the Carbon Atoms**:
In the structure of palmitic acid, there are 16 carbon atoms in total. This includes:
- 1 carbon atom from the carboxylic acid group (-COOH).
- 15 carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain.

3. **Include the Carboxyl Carbon**:
Since the question specifically asks for the total number of carbon atoms including the carboxyl carbon, we consider all 16 carbon atoms.

4. **Conclusion**:
Therefore, the total number of carbon atoms present in palmitic acid, including the carboxyl carbon, is 16.

### Final Answer:
Palmitic acid contains a total of **16 carbon atoms** including the carboxyl carbon.

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