Ethanoic acid reacts with sodium carbonate to give

  • A. sodium ethanoate, water and carbon dioxide
  • B. sodium ethanoate and hydrogen
  • C. ethanol and carbon dioxide
  • D. no reaction

Explanation

Being a stronger acid than carbonic acid, ethanoic acid displaces carbon dioxide from a carbonate, and the effervescence produced is the standard test that distinguishes a carboxylic acid from both alcohols and phenols. With sodium metal the acid would give hydrogen instead. Neutralisation with an alkali gives only the salt and water.

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