Question

how can Ethanol and ethanoic acid be differentiated on the basis of physical and chemical properties

Answer 1

• Ethanol is a liquid at room temperature with a pleasant odour while ethanoic acid has vinegar-like smell. The melting point of ethanoic acid is 17°C. This is below room temperature and hence, it freezes during winters.
• Ethanoic acid reacts with metal carbonates and metal hydrogencarbonates to form salt, water, and carbon dioxide gas while ethanol does not react with them.

Answer 2

Answer:

Ethanol and Ethanoic acid are distinguished by the following characteristics: Ethanol is a liquid at room temperature with a pleasant odor. The melting point of ethanolic acid is $17$°C.

Explanation:

(a) Physical property differences:

(I) Ethanol has a pleasant odor, whereas ethanoic acid smells like vinegar.

(ii) Ethanol has a bitter taste, whereas ethanoic acid has a sweet flavor.

(iii)Ethanol has a low boiling point (351 K), whereas ethanoic acid has a relatively high boiling point (391 K).

(b) Chemical property differences:

(I) Ethanol has no effect on litmus paper, but ethanoic acid causes blue litmus to turn red.

(ii) While ethanol has no reaction with sodium hydrogen carbonate, ethanoic acid produces a rapid effervescence of carbon dioxide in the presence of sodium hydrogen carbonate.