Question

Why fats are solid and oils are liquid at room temperature?

Answer 1

Answer:

The kinks of unsaturated fat molecules keep them liquid at room temperature. Therefore, animal fat (mostly saturated) is solid at room temperature. This is why partially-hydrogenated plant oils behave like saturated fats in cooking. They solidify at room temperature because the molecules can pack together.

Answer 2

Answer:

i. Plant fats are unsaturated fatty acids, whereas animal fats are saturated fatty acids.

ii. Fats having unsaturated fatty acids are liquid at room temperature.

iii. Saturated fatty acids are solid at room temperature.

iv. Hence, plant fats are liquid at room temperature, while animal fats are solid.