Question

What happens when ethanoic acid reacts with sodium hydroxide? Write equation of the reaction involved.

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

Answer 1

The reaction between ethanoic acid \[\ce{(CH3COOH)}\] and sodium hydroxide \[\ce{(NaOH)}\] is a neutralisation reaction:

\[\ce{CH3COOH + NaOH → CH3COONa + H2O}\]

In this equation, ethanoic acid reacts with sodium hydroxide to produce sodium acetate \[\ce{(CH3COONa)}\] and water \[\ce{(H2O)}\]. This is a typical acid-base neutralization process, where an acid combines with a base to form salt and water.