Question

The similarity in properties of ethyl alcohol and acetic acid is:
(A) Sodium metal test
(B) Litmus test
(C) Sodium bicarbonate test
(D) None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: The two given chemical compounds belong to two different functional groups. But they show similar characteristic observations when reacted with sodium.

Complete step by step answer: Ethyl alcohol and ethanoic acid react with sodium metal to liberate hydrogen gas. Liberation of hydrogen gas can be easily distinguished from the pop sound produced.
$$\begin{gathered} 2C_2{H}_{5}OH+2Na\to 2C_2{H}_{5}ONa+H_2\uparrow \\ 2C{H}_{3}COOH+2Na\to 2C{H}_{3}COONa+H_2\uparrow \end{gathered}$$
In the case of litmus test ethyl alcohol does not change the colour whereas acetic acid turns blue litmus red. The reason behind this is acetic acid is a weak acid whereas ethanol is a neutral solution.
When acetic acid is treated with sodium bicarbonate, a brisk effervescence is produced whereas in case of ethanol no change is observed due to no liberation of carbon dioxide.
Thus, the similarity in properties between ethanol and acetic acid is observed in case of sodium metal test.
So, the correct option is A.

Additional Information: Ethanol (also known as ethyl alcohol) has a pleasant smell whereas ethanoic acid (also known as acetic acid) has a pungent smell. Acetic acid is simply vinegar used in food preservatives and also employed as additives. Ethanol is an industrially important solvent and is used to preserve biological specimens.

Note: They may appear to have different functional groups but similarity in properties is due to their reactive nature and high reactivity of metals such as sodium.