[kurse196]

Im currently doing a chem lab of comparing the solubility of sodium sulphate and palmitic acid. I know sodium sulphate is ionic so it will dissolve, but I can't figure out if palmitic acid is polar/non-polar. I looked on google but I couldnt find out at all.

[Arkcon]

Does the structure or formula of palmitic acid give you a hint?

[fall92]

The  Palmitic acid is nonpolar, because it has a long hydrocarbon chain in fact it is a fatty acid.

[kriggy]

The  Palmitic acid is nonpolar, because it has a long hydrocarbon chain in fact it is a fatty acid.

Thats very simple answer. I could say that its polar because it has COOH group.

[Babcock_Hall]

@OP,

Are both polar and nonpolar groups present?  If so, please identify them.  If both are present, which is present in greater proportion?  How are polarity and aqueous solubility related?  Does this suggest an experimental test of how polar palmitic acid is?

[fall92]

Is a short answer not a simple answer, the polarity of carboxylic acid decrease with the increase of the chain of hydrocarbons, because the non-polar interactions increase. As you can see in this link: http://www.auburn.edu/~deruija/pda1_acids1.pdf