Q. 15.1 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

Lipids are not soluble in water. Are lipids polar or nonpolar molecules?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The lipids are nonpolar molecules.

Step 1: An Introduction

Lipids are an organic chemical class that is largely insoluble in water. Lipids are molecules that are composed mostly of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen and are composed of fats and oils. Triacylglycerols, phospholipids, and sterols are the three primary forms of lipids.

Step 2: Given Information

Lipids are not soluble in water.
We have to find lipids are polar or nonpolar molecules.

Step 3: Determine if lipids are polar or nonpolar molecules

There is an easily memorable rule when it comes to dissolving a compound: slmllar dlssolves simllar.

This means that polar solvents dissolve polar compounds, while nonpolar solvents dissolve nonpolar compounds.

As you know, water is a polar solvent. It does not dissolve llplds. Therefore, llplds are nonpolar molecules.