Fatty acids are long chains of hydrogen and carbon atoms with an extra hydrogen atom at one end and two oxygen, one hydrogen, and one carbon atom on the other end. This formation is called the carboxyl group and can be saturated like Palmitic acid or unsaturated like Oleic acid.
Fatty acid molecules are usually found as part of larger molecules called triglycerides. A triglyceride molecule is produced when the carboxyl group ends of three fatty acids are cross-linked with one molecule of glycerol. During the soap making process, the sodium hydroxide cuts the bond between the fatty acid and the glycerol to form glycerol and soap.
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