Question

Most aromatic acids are solid while acetic acid is liquid. Why?

Answer 1

Answer:

The carboxylic acid is an organic acid and belongs to the class of aliphatic acids and aromatic acids. Acetic acid has 2 carbon atoms and forms a shorter chain. Acids with low molecular weight are liquid at room temperature because of hydrogen bonding between the molecules. Therefore acetic acid is a liquid because it has lower molecular weight.

The aromatic carboxylic acid carry at least 7 carbon atoms therefore, it belongs to higher molecular weight carboxylic acid.They are solid at room temperature because of van der waals forces in addition to hydrogen bonding. More force of attraction means molecules are more closer to form solid. Example of aromatic acid is benzoic acid.