Soap is described as mixtures of fats and oils converted to fatty acids by heat.

• A. A liquid detergent
• B. A powder made from minerals
• C. Mixtures of fats and oils converted to fatty acids by heat
• D. A gel formed by polymers

Answer: (C)

Soap comes from breaking down fats and oils (triglycerides) in the presence of a base to form fatty acids, which then become fatty acid salts that act as cleansing agents. Heating speeds this saponification reaction, so describing soap as mixtures of fats and oils converted to fatty acids by heat captures the essential transformation that creates soap. In reality, the final product is fatty acid salts (not free fatty acids) and glycerol as a byproduct, but the idea of fats/oils being transformed into fatty acids through heat aligns with how soap is made. The other options point to different substances—detergents, mineral powders, or polymer gels—rather than soap.