Question

Describe the structure of ammonium lauryl sulfate. Refer to the given diagram. Your answer should include the type of bonding, the elements contained, and the size and shape of the molecule. Write a short paragraph.

Answer 1

Answer:

This ammonium laurel sulfates anion consists of a nonpolar hydrocarbon chain and a polar sulfate end group. It means it has a hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tail. There are ammonium ions, sulfate, and fatty acids present.

Lauryl sulfate has lauric acid attach to sulfate ions with carbon-sulfur bond, the fatty acid formed by the covalent bonds between C-C attached to hydrogens. Sulfur also bound to oxygen by covalent bonds. Nitrogen is surrounded by the four hydrogen atoms in the hydrophilic head.