Science Fair Report #1

Problem: Which substances help break down fat molecules best?

I was wondering if I could measure the fat by first looking at the volume (fat & liquid), drain the water, what’s left I would subtract the amount from the original volume. Another method I was thinking about was, if the fat floated to the top, I would separate it from the liquid then measure that fat according to grams.

Research:
Soap --
(fatty end) :CH3-(CH2)n - COONa: (water soluble end)

Sodium Stearate: CH3(CH2)16COONa)

*Tryglyceride -- RCOO-CH2CH(-OOCR')CH2-OOCR

• The sodium end of the molecule attracts water. The long hydrocarbon chain at the other end attracts oils and fats.
• Uses: Works by breaking fat and oil droplets into small pieces. The pieces are coated with the soap, with the hydrocarbon chains attached to the fat, leaving the Na ends dangling in the water. The oils are now completely surrounded by water, instead of being attached to skin or clothing, and so they wash away in the rinse.
• Soap – composed of Na/K salt of fatty acids derived by reacting with lye in saponificationàfats are hydrolyzed by the base, producing glycerol & crude soap