Question

When the stopper is removed from a partly filled bottle containing solid and liquid acetic acid at 16.7 °c, a strong vinegar like odor is noticeable immediately. how many acetic acid phases must be present in the bottle? explain. phase(s) are present within the bottle; is/are observed visually, while is/are detected by the immediate odor?

Answer 1

We are told that there are solid and liquid phases of acetic acid, but the presence of an odor implies that there is a gaseous phase as well. It is likely that some of the acetic acid has vaporized due to its volatility. Therefore, there are 3 phases present in the bottle. The solid and liquid phases can be observed visually (the gas cannot since it is not colored), and the gas is detected because of its odor.