Question

why carboxylic acid are more acidic than phenol?

Answer 1

carboxylic acid is acidic in nature and phenol is basic in nature

Answer 2

When we dissociate phenol, we get phenoxide ion and H+ ion

When we dissociate carboxylic acid we get carboxylate ion and H+ ion

Now, phenoxide ion has five resonating structures and carboxylate ion has two resonating structures (Images Attached)

But the main point is that the resonating structures of carboxylate ion are Equivalent Structures

Hence we consider carboxylate ion to be more resonance stabilized and more stable is the basic radical more acidic is the compound

Hence carboxylic acid is more acidic than phenol