I'm reacting either palmitic acid or lauric acid ($\ce{C16H32O2}$ or $\ce{C12H24O2}$) with $\ce{NaOH}$, sodium hydroxide.
I'm wondering if there's any way to tell which one of those two acids it is after I've already reacted it with NaOH. It has to be a relatively short process, as I won't have much time. I'm doing this for a lab.
In case you feel uncomfortable about what you may call "helping me cheat", please note that my assignment states that I can have online help:
You may look up information to complete your flow-chart, just be sure to cite your sources...
Note: it doesn't have to be NaOH, it could be any base, I just picked that one. If you think another one would work better, recommend that as well, please.