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Properties of Acetic Acid (Ethanoic Acid)

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Aim

To study the properties of acetic acid (ethanoic acid): odour, solubility in water, effect on litmus, and reaction with sodium bicarbonate.

Materials Required

Acetic acid (vinegar)
Water
Blue litmus paper
Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃)
Test tubes & stand
Lime water

Procedure

  1. Odour: Take 1 mL of acetic acid in a test tube and gently waft the vapour towards your nose.
  2. Solubility in water: Add 2 mL of acetic acid to 5 mL of water in a test tube and shake well. Observe if it mixes.
  3. Effect on Litmus: Place a drop of acetic acid on moist blue and red litmus papers.
  4. Reaction with NaHCO₃: Take a pinch of sodium bicarbonate in a test tube. Add 2 mL of acetic acid. Pass the evolved gas through freshly prepared lime water.

Precautions

  • Do not inhale the vapours directly; always waft them towards your nose gently.
  • Use dilute acetic acid for the experiments.
  • Handle chemicals carefully and wear lab safety gear.
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Observations Table

S.No. Property Tested Observation Inference

📹 Video Tutorial

💡 Watch this video to see how the experiment is performed in a real lab.

Lab Report Summary

Experiment: Properties of Acetic Acid (Ethanoic Acid)

Result: Acetic acid has a pungent vinegar smell, is miscible with water, turns blue litmus red (weak acid), and reacts with NaHCO₃ to produce CO₂ gas which turns lime water milky.

Recorded Observations

  • Complete the simulation tests to record observations.