CBSE Class 10 Science 2018 · Paper 31(B)/C · Question 7

(i) Litmus test: ethanoic acid turns blue litmus red, as it is acidic; ethanol has no effect on litmus (blue litmus stays blue), as it is neutral. (ii) Reaction with sodium hydrogen carbonate: ethanoic acid reacts with brisk effervescence, giving carbon dioxide gas, ${\text{CH}}_3\text{COOH}+{\text{NaHCO}}_3\to {\text{CH}}_3\text{COONa}+{\text{H}}_2\text{O}+{\text{CO}}_2$; ethanol does not react, so there is no effervescence. Oxidising agent: alkaline potassium permanganate, ${\text{KMnO}}_4$ (acidified potassium dichromate, ${\text{K}}_2{\text{Cr}}_2{\text{O}}_7$, is also accepted).