Drawing and naming the carboxylic acids
2 marks · EasyVinegar is commonly used as a cleaning agent in households. Explain why ethanoic acid is important when talking about vinegar.
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Ethanoic acid is important because it is the main component of vinegar, giving vinegar its acidic properties.
Also accept: Ethanoic acid is the main acid found in vinegar.; Vinegar contains ethanoic acid as its main acidic ingredient.
Common mistakes: Naming the wrong acid as main component.
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Marking points
B1 · 1 mark · States or implies ethanoic acid is the main component of vinegar.
B2 · 1 mark · Explains that this gives vinegar its acidic/cleaning properties or taste.
Worked solution
Ethanoic acid is the main component of vinegar. This is important because it gives vinegar its acidic properties and is responsible for its use as a cleaning agent.