Two test tubes contain two colourless liquids ethanol and ethanoic acid. Explain by writing reaction which chemical test you would perform to tell which substance is present in which test tube.

Explanation

Ethanol and ethanoic acid can be distinguished using sodium bicarbonate or sodium carbonate.
i. The compound which produces brisk effervescence of carbon dioxide, on reacting with sodium bicarbonate is ethanoic acid.
`underset("acid")underset("Ethanoic")(CH_(3)COOH)+underset("bicarbonate")underset("Sodium")(NaHCO_(3))rarr underset("ethanoate")underset("Sodium")(CH_(3)COONa)+underset("Water")(H_(2)O)+underset("Carbon dioxide")(CO_(2)uarr)`
ii. The other compounds which does not react with sodium bicarbonate to give effervescence is ethanol.