Question

The boiling point of acetic acid is
A.\[391{\text{K}}\]
B.\[392{\text{K}}\]
C.\[393{\text{K}}\]
D.\[394{\text{K}}\]

Answer 1

Hint: Boiling point of acetic acid is \[117.85^\circ {\text{C}}\]. We can do the required conversion from degree celsius scale to kelvin scale by adding $273.15$.

Complete step by step answer:
Melting point is the condition of temperature at which material changes from solid to liquid. This is the point at which both liquid and solid phases exist at equilibrium. Freezing point is the temperature at which liquid is converted to solid. Boiling point of a liquid is the temperature at which the vapour pressure of the liquid becomes equal to the atmospheric pressure and thereby change of state takes place from liquid to gas.
Acetic acid is a weak monoprotic organic acid. It is the methyl group attached to the carboxyl group. IUPAC nomenclature of acetic acid is ethanoic acid. Chemical formula of acetic acid is \[{\text{C}}{{\text{H}}_3}{\text{COOH}}\].
Molar mass of acetic acid is \[60\dfrac{{\text{g}}}{{{\text{mol}}}}\]. It is the second simplest carboxylic acid after formic acid \[\left( {{\text{HCOOH}}} \right)\]. Being acid, it is sour in taste. Acetic acid is the main component of vinegar produced by fermentation and oxidation of alcohol and used as a precursor to polyvinyl acetate and cellulose acetate. Its melting and boiling point are \[289{\text{K}}\] and \[391{\text{K}}\] respectively. It has a \[{\text{p}}{{\text{K}}_{\text{a}}}\] value of \[{\text{2}}{\text{.4}}\].
Thus, the boiling point of acetic acid or ethanoic acid is \[391{\text{K}}\] or \[117.85^\circ {\text{C}}\].

So, the correct option is A.

Note:
Acetic acid is produced by bacteria like Acetobacter and Clostridium acetobutylicum and acts as food spoil. It also has antibacterial properties. It is an effective antiseptic when used as a \[1\% \] solution.
\[^\circ {\text{C}} = 273 + {\text{K}}\]. Vapour pressure is defined as the pressure exerted by the vapour on the surface of liquid.