# Ethanol can be oxidised to form ethanoic acid. Describe the properties of ethanoic acid that show it is a weak acid, and explain what is meant by the term 'weak acid'. Include in your answer what happens when ethanoic acid reacts with magnesium.

> WJEC A-Level Chemistry (Wales) — 2.7 Alcohols and carboxylic acids · Describe · 5 marks

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Ethanoic acid partially dissociates / ionises in water (does not fully dissociate)
2. A weak acid produces a lower concentration of hydrogen ions (H⁺) than a strong acid of the same concentration
3. Ethanoic acid has a higher pH than a strong acid of the same concentration
4. Ethanoic acid reacts with magnesium to produce a magnesium salt (magnesium ethanoate)
5. Hydrogen gas is also produced in the reaction between ethanoic acid and magnesium

## Key terms

- [weak acid](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/weak-acid)
- [ethanoic acid](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/ethanoic-acid)

## Related

- [Revision notes for WJEC A-Level Chemistry (Wales)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Describe" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/ethanol-can-be-oxidised-to-form-9c6f7ba7) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.