Briefly explain the difference between acetic acid and propanoic acid in terms of polarity.
1 answer
Acetic acid (CH3COOH) and propanoic acid (CH3CH2COOH) both contain a carboxylic acid functional group (-COOH). However, propanoic acid has a longer hydrocarbon chain which makes it less polar than acetic acid. Acetic acid is more polar due to its shorter hydrocarbon chain and higher electronegativity of the oxygen atom in the carboxyl group.