Final answer:
The soap making recipe requires coconut oil, lye (NaOH), and water. However, the correct proportion of NaOH should be derived from the saponification number of the fat, and heating is required to facilitate the saponification process.
Step-by-step explanation:
The recipe provided for soap making appears to be a simplified version of the traditional process and may require adjustment, as precise amounts of lye and oil are critical for a proper saponification reaction. The presence of coconut oil, lye (NaOH solution), and water are indeed the necessary ingredients for making soap. However, the exact measurements of lye to fat are not specified here and should be determined based on the saponification number of the fat used.
Traditionally, soap was made by combining animal fats with a strongly basic solution, such as lye made from wood ashes. The formulation of the saponification process has evolved over time and now often involves heating oils, such as coconut oil, with a sodium hydroxide solution at high temperatures and pressures to produce soap and glycerol. This reaction typically requires not only the correct proportions of ingredients but also heating to facilitate the chemical reaction.
Therefore, while heating is indeed necessary, as indicated in option C, it is critical to know the correct amount of NaOH to use in relation to the amount of fat, which involves knowledge of the saponification number. Without this information, you cannot determine whether the amount of NaOH is sufficient, thereby making option B a consideration.