You are given two colourless solutions present in two test tubes. One out of these is ethyl alcohol and the other is acetic acid. Give three tests to identify these.

Explanation

Smell. The tube in which the liquid has a vinegar like or fruity smell is acetic acid while the other with a very little pungent smell is ethyl alcohol.
Litmus Test. Add a strip of blue litmus separately in both the tubes. The tube which turns blue litmus red contains acetic acid while the other which does not change its colour is that of ethyl alcohol.
Sodium hydrogen carbonate test. Add a small amount of solid sodium hydrogen carbonate `(NaHCO_(3))` in both these tubes. The one which gives a brisk effervescence contains acetic acid while the other in which no effervescence is noticed contains ethyl alcohol.