What are the physical properties of ethanoic acid?

Ethanoic acid is a colourless liquid with a strong, pungent smell and a sour taste.

Ethanoic acid, also known as acetic acid, is a member of the carboxylic acid family. It is a colourless liquid at room temperature and has a strong, pungent smell that is often associated with vinegar. This is because ethanoic acid is the main component of vinegar, making up about 5-20% of its composition. The acid also has a sour taste, which is another characteristic feature of vinegar.

In terms of its physical state, ethanoic acid is a liquid under normal conditions (room temperature and pressure). It has a boiling point of 118.1 degrees Celsius and a melting point of 16.6 degrees Celsius. This means that it can exist as a solid, liquid, or gas depending on the temperature and pressure conditions.

Ethanoic acid is also a polar molecule, which means it has a positive and a negative end. This polarity allows it to form hydrogen bonds with water, making it very soluble in water. However, it is also soluble in other common solvents like ethanol and ether.

Another important physical property of ethanoic acid is its density. It has a density of 1.049 g/cm3 at 25 degrees Celsius. This is higher than the density of water, which means that ethanoic acid is heavier and will sink in water.

Lastly, ethanoic acid is a weak acid. This means it only partially ionises in water, producing hydronium ions (H3O+) and ethanoate ions (CH3COO-). This property is important in many chemical reactions involving ethanoic acid, as it affects the acid's reactivity and the products formed.