Soap is an organic compound, not inorganic.
Understanding Organic vs. Inorganic Compounds
To understand why soap is organic, it's helpful to distinguish between organic and inorganic compounds:
| Feature | Organic Compounds | Inorganic Compounds |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Element | Primarily contain carbon (C) and hydrogen (H) | Generally lack carbon or contain it in simple forms |
| Bonding | Covalent bonds | Ionic bonds are common |
| Source | Living organisms (or once living) | Earth's crust, minerals |
| Complexity | Usually complex molecules | Typically simpler molecules |
Soap: An Organic Compound
As the reference clearly states, soap is an organic compound because it:
- Is composed of fatty acids and glycerol.
- These fatty acids and glycerol both contain carbon as a basic component.
- The reference notes "Carbon makes up most of these compounds."
- Therefore, soap is created from other organic compounds, emphasizing its organic nature.
How is Soap Made?
Soap is created through a chemical reaction called saponification, where fats or oils (which are organic) react with a strong alkali (like lye). This reaction breaks down the fats into glycerol and fatty acid salts, which are soap molecules.
Practical Insight
- Because soap is created using organic fats and oils, we can be assured that it is an organic compound.
Conclusion
Based on the properties of its constituent molecules and its formation process, soap is definitively classified as an organic compound.
