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Carbon and its Compounds — Question 7

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Question 7

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

Answer
EthanolEthanoic acid
Physical propertiesColourless liquid with characteristic pleasant odourColourless liquid with pungent odour of vinegar
Has a burning tasteHas a sour taste
Boils at 78°CBoils at 118°C
Freezes at -117°CFreezes at 16°C
Chemical 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 + 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
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Science | Chapter 4: Carbon and Its CompoundsWeb Content

Chapter 4: Carbon and Its Compounds — Quick Revision Guide

Introduction

Carbon is unique in its ability to form millions of compounds due to catenation and tetravalency. This chapter covers covalent bonding, hydrocarbons, homologous series, IUPAC nomenclature, and important carbon compounds.

Key Points at a Glance

  1. Carbon (2,4) forms 4 covalent bonds (sharing electrons) due to tetravalency
  2. Catenation: carbon-carbon bonding in chains, branches, and rings; allotropes: diamond, graphite, fullerene
  3. Hydrocarbons: alkanes (CnH2n+2, single), alkenes (CnH2n, double), alkynes (CnH2n−2, triple)
  4. Homologous series: same general formula, differ by CH2, similar chemical properties, gradation in physical properties
  5. IUPAC naming: root (meth/eth/prop/but) + suffix (-ane/-ene/-yne) + functional group suffix (-ol/-al/-one/-oic acid)
  6. Combustion: hydrocarbons + O2 → CO2 + H2O; saturated = clean flame, unsaturated = sooty
  7. Oxidation: alcohols → aldehydes/acids (alk. KMnO4); Addition: unsaturated + H2 → saturated (Ni catalyst); Substitution: saturated + Cl2 → chlorinated (sunlight)
  8. Ethanol: fermentation of sugars; dehydration gives ethene; methanol is lethal
  9. Ethanoic acid (vinegar): reacts with carbonates, alcohols (esterification: produces fruity-smelling ester)
  10. Soap vs detergent: soap fails in hard water (scum); detergent works; both clean via micelle formation

Real-World Connections

LPG and CNG are hydrocarbon fuels; synthetic polymers (plastic, nylon) are carbon compounds; vanaspati ghee is made by hydrogenation; soaps and detergents for cleaning; alcohol in sanitisers.

Quick Self-Test (5 Questions)

  1. What is the most important concept you learned from this chapter?
  2. Can you write three key equations/formulae from this chapter from memory?
  3. Draw a labelled diagram relevant to this chapter without looking at your notes.
  4. Explain one real-world application of a concept from this chapter.
  5. What is one common mistake students make in this chapter, and how can you avoid it?

Further Study

  • NCERT Textbook Chapter 4
  • NCERT Exemplar Problems
  • Bright Tutorials Detailed Notes: ch04-carbon-compounds.html
  • Bright Tutorials Practice Questions: ch04-carbon-compounds.html
  • Previous Year CBSE Board Papers

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