Distinguish between fats and oils.

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Detailed Solution

The main difference is that fats are solid at room temperature, while oils are liquid. This physical difference is due to their chemical structure, specifically the type of fatty acids they contain.

Fats vs. Oils: Key Differences

Basis of Difference	Fats	Oils
Physical State	Solid or semi-solid at room temperature (around 20°C).	Liquid at room temperature.
Primary Source	Mostly from animal sources (e.g., butter, cheese, lard).	Mostly from plant sources (e.g., olive oil, sunflower oil, peanut oil).
Fatty Acid Type	High in saturated fatty acids.	High in unsaturated (monounsaturated or polyunsaturated) fatty acids.
Melting Point	Have a high melting point.	Have a low melting point.

The Chemical Difference

The state of fats and oils at room temperature is determined by the shape of their fatty acid molecules.

Fats contain mostly saturated fatty acids, which have straight, single-bonded hydrocarbon chains. These straight chains can pack closely together, leading to stronger intermolecular forces and a solid structure.
Oils contain mostly unsaturated fatty acids. The double bonds in these chains create "kinks" or bends. These kinks prevent the molecules from packing tightly together, resulting in weaker intermolecular forces and a liquid state.

Note: There are exceptions. For example, coconut oil is a plant-based fat that is solid at room temperature because it is high in saturated fats. Fish oil is an animal-based oil that is liquid due to its high unsaturated fat content.

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