Answer to Question #146416 in General Chemistry for Mike

Question

Describe stearic acid. What is the partial charge characteristic of each carbon atom in the molecule of this acid?

Answer 1

Stearic acid is a saturated and long-chain fatty acid which entails a 18-carbon backbone$C17H35C000H$

$Let the charge of Carbon be X$

$x+17+H35+ x+ O-2+O-2+H1=0$

$x+17+35+x+-2+-2+1=0$

$2x+17+35+-4+1=0$

$2x +52-4+1=0$

$2x+49=0$

$x=-49/2$

x=-25

$Thereforef, each Carbon aton will have a charge of -25$