How would you distinguish experimentally between an alcohol and a carboxylic acid?

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Chapter 4 NCERT Class 10 Science SOLUTIONS

1. How would you distinguish experimentally between an alcohol and a carboxylic acid?

Question:

How would you distinguish experimentally between an alcohol and a carboxylic acid?

Answer:

(i) Alcohol has no effect on litmus acid whereas carboxylic acid turns blue litmus paper red.

(ii) Alcohol does not react with Na₂CO₃, while carboxylic acid reacts with Na₂CO₃ to form CO₂ gas.

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