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Carboxylic Acids

Salt formation with carbonates, hydroxides and ammonia

  • 3 things to know
  • Unit A2 1

Overview

Why carboxylic acids are classified as weak acids, how the gas released in that reaction is confirmed and salt formed when propanoic acid reacts with sodium hydroxide.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

How does ethanoic acid ionise, how does it react with sodium carbonate, and how is the gas released confirmed?

Key term

Write the equation for the ionisation of ethanoic acid in water.

Key term

Write the equation for the reaction of ethanoic acid with sodium carbonate.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Explain why carboxylic acids are classified as weak acids.

    Model answer

    They are only partially ionised in water, setting up an equilibrium between the undissociated acid and its ions.

  2. 2

    Write the equation for the ionisation of ethanoic acid in water.

    Model answer

    The equation is CH₃COOH ⇌ CH₃COO⁻ + H⁺.

  3. 3

    Write the equation for the reaction of ethanoic acid with sodium carbonate.

    Model answer

    The equation is 2CH₃COOH + Na₂CO₃ → 2CH₃COONa + H₂O + CO₂.

  4. 4

    State what is observed when sodium carbonate solution is added to a carboxylic acid.

    Model answer

    There is rapid effervescence as carbon dioxide gas is released.

  5. 5

    Explain why the reaction with sodium carbonate is used to distinguish a carboxylic acid from an alcohol.

    Model answer

    A carboxylic acid is acidic enough to release carbon dioxide from a carbonate, whereas an alcohol is not and gives no effervescence.

  6. 6

    Write the equation for the reaction of ethanoic acid with sodium hydroxide.

    Model answer

    The equation is CH₃COOH + NaOH → CH₃COONa + H₂O.

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