Question

Vinegar is a solution of

• A. $50\%-60\%$acetic acid in alcohol
• B. $5\%-8\%$acetic acid in alcohol
• C. $5\%-8\%$acetic acid in water
• D. $50\%-60\%$acetic acid in water

Answer 1

The correct option is C

$5\%-8\%$acetic acid in water

Explanation for the correct option:

(c) $\mathbf{5}\mathbf{\%}\mathbf{}\mathbf{-}\mathbf{}\mathbf{8}\mathbf{\%}\mathbf{}$acetic acid in water

Vinegar

• Vinegar is a dilute aqueous solution of Acetic acid.
• The molecular formula of Acetic acid is${\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}$. IUPAC's name is Ethanoic acid.
• Acetic is a colorless liquid.

Preparation

• Vinegar is prepared by diluting $5\%-8\%$acetic acid in water.
• Only less concentration of acetic acid is used as vinegar is used for cooking.

Therefore, (c) $\mathbf{5}\mathbf{\%}\mathbf{}\mathbf{-}\mathbf{}\mathbf{8}\mathbf{\%}\mathbf{}$acetic acid in water is correct.

Explanation for the incorrect options:

(a) $\mathbf{50}\mathbf{\%}\mathbf{}\mathbf{-}\mathbf{}\mathbf{60}\mathbf{\%}\mathbf{}$acetic acid in alcohol

• When acetic acid reacts with alcohol it forms Ester. The process is esterification.
• $$\begin{gathered} {\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)+{\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{CH}}_2\mathrm{OH}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)\stackrel{{\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4}{\to }{\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{COOCH}}_2{\mathrm{CH}}_3\left(\mathrm{l}\right)+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right) \\ (\mathrm{Acetic}\mathrm{acid})\left(\mathrm{Ethanol}\right)(\mathrm{Ethyl}\mathrm{acetate})\left(\mathrm{Water}\right) \end{gathered}$$
• So, Acetic acid in alcohol does not form Vinegar.

(b) $\mathbf{5}\mathbf{\%}\mathbf{}\mathbf{-}\mathbf{}\mathbf{8}\mathbf{\%}\mathbf{}$acetic acid in alcohol

• When acetic acid reacts with alcohol it forms Ester. The process is esterification.
• So, Acetic acid in alcohol does not form Vinegar.

(d) $\mathbf{50}\mathbf{\%}\mathbf{}\mathbf{-}\mathbf{}\mathbf{60}\mathbf{\%}\mathbf{}$acetic acid in water

• Vinegar is a dilute aqueous solution of Acetic acid.
• Only less concentration of acetic acid
• Higher concentrations of acetic acid should not be used as the vinegar is used for cooking.

Hence, Option (c) $\mathbf{5}\mathbf{\%}\mathbf{}\mathbf{-}\mathbf{}\mathbf{8}\mathbf{\%}\mathbf{}$acetic acid in water is correct.