Benzoic acid is stronger acid than acetic acid. Justify.

Explanation

In benzoic acid, - COOH group is attached to `sp^2` – hybridised carbon atom of phenyl group while in ethanoic acid `- COOH` group is attached to `sp^3`-hybridised carbon atom of methyl group.

In general, `sp^2` - hybridisation carbon atom is more electronegative than `sp^3`-hybridised carbon atom. More the electro-negativity of the carbon to which -COOH group is attached, more is the acidic character due to electron withdrawing effect to hybridised carbon. Thus, benzoic acid with more electronegative C-atom is more acidic than ethanoic acid with less electronegative C-atom.