Question 7How can ethanol and ethanoic acid be differentiated on the basis of their physical and chemical properties?

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EthanolEthanoic acidPhysical propertiesColourless liquid with characteristic pleasant odourColourless liquid with pungent odour of vinegarHas a burning tasteHas a sour tasteBoils at 78°CBoils at 118°CFreezes at -117°CFreezes at 16°CChemical propertiesNeutral in nature, hence, does not change the colour of litmus.Acidic in nature, hence, turns wet blue litmus red.Ethanol does not react with metal carbonates / metal hydrogen carbonatesEthanoic acid reacts with metal carbonates / metal hydrogen carbonates to produce salt, carbon dioxide and water.2CH3COOH + Na2CO3 ⟶ 2CH3COONa + H2O + CO2CH3COOH + NaHCO3 ⟶ CH3COONa + H2O + CO2Ethanol does not react with Sodium hydroxide (NaOH)Ethanoic acid reacts with Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to form Sodium ethanoate.CH3COOH + NaOH ⟶ CH3COONa + H2O

	Ethanol	Ethanoic acid
Physical properties	Colourless liquid with characteristic pleasant odour	Colourless liquid with pungent odour of vinegar
	Has a burning taste	Has a sour taste
	Boils at 78°C	Boils at 118°C
	Freezes at -117°C	Freezes at 16°C
Chemical properties	Neutral in nature, hence, does not change the colour of litmus.	Acidic in nature, hence, turns wet blue litmus red.
	Ethanol does not react with metal carbonates / metal hydrogen carbonates	Ethanoic acid reacts with metal carbonates / metal hydrogen carbonates to produce salt, carbon dioxide and water. 2CH₃COOH + Na₂CO₃ ⟶ 2CH₃COONa + H₂O + CO₂ CH₃COOH + NaHCO₃ ⟶ CH₃COONa + H₂O + CO₂
	Ethanol does not react with Sodium hydroxide (NaOH)	Ethanoic acid reacts with Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to form Sodium ethanoate. CH₃COOH + NaOH ⟶ CH₃COONa + H₂O

Carbon and its Compounds — Question 7

Question 7