What do you notice when acetic acid reacts with

(a) litmus

(b) metals

(c) alkalies

(d) alcohol

(a) Acetic acid turns moist blue litmus red.

(b) Hydrogen gas with a pop sound is evolved.

2CH₃COOH + Zn ⟶ (CH₃COO)₂Zn + H₂ ↑

(c) Reacts with alkalis to form salt and water.

CH₃COOH + NaOH ⟶ CH₃COONa + H₂O

(d) Forms an ester (pleasant fruity smelling compound) on reacting with alcohol in the presence of dehydrating agents like concentrated sulphuric acid.

$\underset{\text{ethyl alcohol}}{\text{C}$2\text{H}5\text{OH}} + \text{CH}3\text{COOH} \xrightarrow{\text{conc. H}2\text{SO}4} \underset{\text{ethyl acetate}}{{\text{CH}3\text{COOC}2\text{H}5}} + \text{H}_2\text{O}