Final answer:
Ethanol and acetic acid react to form ethyl acetate and water. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is a widespread synthetic polymer found in various applications, but with growing environmental concerns. To find the empirical and molecular formulas of acetic acid, one must use its percentage composition and the molar mass.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Ethyl Acetate Formation and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
When ethanol and acetic acid react, they undergo a chemical process called esterification, resulting in the production of water and ethyl acetate. Ethyl acetate is known for its distinctive odor, which is common in nail polish removers. The calculation of the mass of ethyl acetate formed in this reaction would involve knowledge of the reactants', products', and volumes and densities. This process is a standard topic in organic chemistry, particularly when discussing esterification reactions.
Moving on to another topic of interest, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is a widely used polymer discovered by Eugen Baumann. It is a versatile material that can be made rigid or flexible and is used in a multitude of applications, including construction materials and upholstery. Notably, efforts to phase out PVC due to environmental concerns have been increasing, reflecting the evolving values and technologies in materials science.
The composition of acetic acid, which is commonly found in household vinegar, includes carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. To determine its empirical formula, one would divide the percentage composition of each element by its atomic mass and simplify to the smallest whole number ratio. To find its molecular formula, the empirical formula's mass is then compared to the given molar mass of acetic acid.