Question

Ethanol and ethanoic acid differentiation on basis of chemical and physical properties

Answer 1

Ethanoic acid reacts with hydrogencarbonates and carbonates while ethanol does not

Answer 2

On the basis of chemical property :

If we add ethanoic acid to ethanol then fruity smelling ester will be obtained.

On the other hand , if we add ethanoic acid to ethanoic acid , then no reaction occurs.

The reaction will take place under an acidic medium such as concentrated sulphuric acid.

This is a test to distinguish chemically .

Physical property :

Physical properties includes smell of compounds.

Ethanol has a sweet odour while ethanoic acid has a pungent smelling odour.

This is a physical test.