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nmdcat.online June 27, 2026

The melting point of a fatty acid increases with the increase in

A. The number of cis-double bonds in its hydrocarbon chain
B. The degree of unsaturation in its structure
C. The length of its saturated hydrocarbon chain
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D. The number of branch points in its carbon skeleton

📝 Explanation

A longer saturated hydrocarbon chain has a greater surface area for van der Waals interactions with neighboring chains, requiring more thermal energy (higher temperature) to disrupt these interactions and melt. Unsaturation, conversely, introduces kinks that lower the melting point.

📖 Additional Information

  • The number of cis-double bonds in its hydrocarbon chain
  • The degree of unsaturation in its structure
  • The length of its saturated hydrocarbon chain
  • The number of branch points in its carbon skeleton

A longer saturated hydrocarbon chain has a greater surface area for van der Waals interactions with neighboring chains, requiring more thermal energy (higher temperature) to disrupt these interactions and melt. Unsaturation, conversely, introduces kinks that lower the melting point.

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