Chemical Bonds
In this exercise you will observe chemical bonding by making mayonnaise - and yes,you will be able to eat it when you are finished. The vinegar is a compound with polar bonds, whereas the oil has non-polar bonds. Normally the two will not mix. However, the lecithin in the egg yolk acts like a detergent and allows the two to mix together..
PROCEDURE:
1. Into a mixing bowl or blender jar, place the egg yoke you saved in Exercise 1 above. Add 25 mL of white vinegar and mix.
2. V-e-r-y slowly add vegetable oil to either the bowl as you whip the mixture vigorouslywith a whisk or through the top of the blender jar with the blender running on high speed. Stop mixing when you reach the right consistency for mayonnaise. It
normally takes about one cup of vegetable oil to make this recipe. Add a pinch or two of salt to taste and other seasonings, such as garlic, if desired. Store the mayonnaise in your refrigerator and enjoy a practical result of chemical bonding!
QUESTIONS:
A. If you were given a piece of hot dog and a piece of carrot, using what you learned in this exercise, how would you analyze the composition of these materials?
B. What classes of compounds are present in living organisms that are not tested for in this exercise? Can you suggest how you would show how much of a specific compound is present in a given sample?