How can ethanol and ethanoic acid be differentiated on the basis of their physical and chemical properties ?

(a) Differences in physical properties :

(i) Ethanol has a pleasant smell whereas ethanoic acid has the smell of vinegar.

(ii) Ethanol has a burning taste whereas ethanoic acid has a sour taste.

(iii)The boiling point of ethanol is low (351 K) whereas that of ethanoic acid is comparatively high (391 K).

(b) Differences in chemical properties :

(i) Ethanol has no action on any litmus paper but ethanoic acid turns blue litmus to red.

(ii) Ethanol has no reaction with sodium hydrogencarbonate but ethanoic acid gives brisk effervescence of carbon dioxide with sodium hydrogencarbonate.