Q8
3 marksShort AnswerSection A

Write three different chemical reactions showing the conversion of ethanoic acid to sodium ethanoate. Write balanced chemical equation in each case. Write the name of the reactants and the products other than ethanoic acid and sodium ethanoate in each case.

Carbon and its Compounds
Chemical Properties of Ethanoic Acid
Official Answer

Ethanoic acid (CH3COOHCH_3COOH) can be converted into sodium ethanoate (CH3COONaCH_3COONa) by reacting with sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, or sodium hydrogencarbonate.


1. Reaction with Sodium Hydroxide (NaOHNaOH)

Balanced Equation:

CH3COOH+NaOHCH3COONa+H2OCH_3COOH + NaOH \rightarrow CH_3COONa + H_2O

  • Reactant other than ethanoic acid: Sodium hydroxide
  • Product other than sodium ethanoate: Water

2. Reaction with Sodium Carbonate (Na2CO3Na_2CO_3)

Balanced Equation:

2CH3COOH+Na2CO32CH3COONa+H2O+CO22CH_3COOH + Na_2CO_3 \rightarrow 2CH_3COONa + H_2O + CO_2

  • Reactant other than ethanoic acid: Sodium carbonate
  • Products other than sodium ethanoate: Water, Carbon dioxide

3. Reaction with Sodium Hydrogencarbonate (NaHCO3NaHCO_3)

Balanced Equation:

CH3COOH+NaHCO3CH3COONa+H2O+CO2CH_3COOH + NaHCO_3 \rightarrow CH_3COONa + H_2O + CO_2

  • Reactant other than ethanoic acid: Sodium hydrogencarbonate
  • Products other than sodium ethanoate: Water, Carbon dioxide

(Note: Reaction with active Sodium metal (NaNa) is also acceptable: 2CH3COOH+2Na2CH3COONa+H22CH_3COOH + 2Na \rightarrow 2CH_3COONa + H_2)

Sodium hydroxideSodium carbonateSodium hydrogencarbonateSodium ethanoateCarbon dioxideWaterCH3COONa

Marking Scheme

  • 1Reaction 1: Balanced equation with correct names of other reactant (Sodium hydroxide) and product (Water) (1 mark)
  • 2Reaction 2: Balanced equation with correct names of other reactant (Sodium carbonate) and products (Water, Carbon dioxide) (1 mark)
  • 3Reaction 3: Balanced equation with correct names of other reactant (Sodium hydrogencarbonate) and products (Water, Carbon dioxide) (1 mark)

Hint

Think of the reactions of acids with bases, metal carbonates, and metal hydrogencarbonates to produce salt, water, and carbon dioxide.

Quick Oral Answer

Q: How can you test for the evolution of carbon dioxide gas in these reactions? A: Pass the evolved gas through freshly prepared lime water. If the lime water turns milky due to the formation of insoluble calcium carbonate, the gas is confirmed to be carbon dioxide.

Analysis & Explanation

Ethanoic acid is a weak mono-protic acid. It reacts with bases (like NaOHNaOH) to undergo a neutralization reaction, forming salt (sodium ethanoate) and water. Because it is an acid, it also reacts with carbonates (Na2CO3Na_2CO_3) and hydrogencarbonates (NaHCO3NaHCO_3) to liberate carbon dioxide gas with brisk effervescence, alongside forming sodium ethanoate and water. These reactions are characteristic chemical properties used to identify carboxylic acids.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1Forgetting to balance the equation with sodium carbonate (Na2CO3Na_2CO_3), which requires a 2:12:1 molar ratio of ethanoic acid to sodium carbonate.
  2. 2Writing incorrect chemical formulas for sodium ethanoate (e.g., writing CH3COONa2CH_3COONa_2 instead of CH3COONaCH_3COONa).

Interesting Facts

The reaction of ethanoic acid with sodium hydrogencarbonate is the classic 'volcano' reaction used in school science projects, where the rapid release of CO2CO_2 gas creates a foaming eruption.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many marks does this question carry in CBSE Class 10 Science 2016?

This question carries 3 marks in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2016 examination.

Which chapter does this question come from in Science?

This question is from the chapter "Carbon and its Compounds" in the CBSE Class 10 Science syllabus.

What topic does this question cover in Science?

This question covers the topic "Chemical Properties of Ethanoic Acid" from CBSE Class 10 Science.

What type of question is this in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2016 paper?

This is a Short Answer question from Section A in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2016 paper.