Question

Explain the similarities and differences between putting a beaker of ethanoic acid in the refrigerator and mixing it with sodium carbonate

Answer 1

Answer:

See explanation

Explanation:

When a beaker of ethanoic acid is placed in the refrigerator, its temperature drops and the vessel feels cool.

Now, when we mix ethanoic acid and sodium carbonate, an endothermic reaction occurs, fizzing is observed as carbon dioxide is given off and heat is lost to the surroundings causing the reaction vessel to feel cool to touch.

The difference between putting ethanoic acid in the refrigerator and adding  sodium carbonate to the solution is that, in the former, no new substance is formed. The substance remains ethanoic acid when retrieved from the refrigerator. In the later case, new substances are formed. The substance is no more ethanoic acid because a chemical reaction has taken place.