Why do unsaturated fatty acids have lower melting points than saturated fatty acids?
A) Unsaturated fatty acids stack better than saturated fatty acids.
B) Saturated fatty acids stack better than unsaturated fatty acids.
C) Unsaturated fatty acids are larger than saturated fatty acids.
D) Saturated fatty acids are larger than unsaturated fatty acids.
E) Unsaturated fatty acids are more flexible than saturated fatty acids.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

ESaturated fatty acids can pack closely together due to their straight chains, leading to stronger van der Waals forces and higher melting points. Unsaturated fatty acids have kinks in their chains due to double bonds, preventing tight packing and making them more flexible, which results in lower melting points.

Why Do Unsaturated Fatty Acids Have Lower Melting Points Than