2007-05-25 10:41:33 · 6 answers · asked by Rockstar 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Dip a hot platinum wire into the vapor in air. Methanol gets you formaldehyde (sharp stale odor), ethanol getes you acetaldehyde (smell of overripe fruit or an alcoholic).
2007-05-25 10:47:47 · answer #1 · answered by Uncle Al 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actual methyl alcohol (methanol) smells sweet whereas ethyl alcohol (ethanol) doesn't. Methanol is used in antifreeze and it is because of the sweet smell that attracts animals that normally die from taking in such a chemical compound.
A simple test would be to just take the boiling point since the two differ by about 13 degrees. If you are careful enough differentiating shouldn't be too hard.
Ethanol = 78.4
Methanol = 64.7
2007-05-25 10:59:23 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have no objective test. I would smell it. To me, ethyl alcohol smells "sweet." To me, methyl alcohol is odorless. Else, set up a small boiling apparatus and dtistil the liquid. If it boils at 64degC, it is methanol; if 78degC, ethanol.
2007-05-25 10:49:38 · answer #3 · answered by steve_geo1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do something easy that does not involve chemical testing. that would be to test for the alcohols physical properties.
The easiest thing would be to check the density or boiling point of each alcohol.
Density is the mass divided by the volume.
Boiling point for methanol is 64.8 degrees Celsius
Boiling point for ethanol is 78.5 degree Celsius
2007-05-25 11:05:41 · answer #4 · answered by PV=NRT 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If both are fairly pure, methanol has a lower boiling point. Keep in mind they are flammable liquids/vapors
2007-05-25 10:53:53 · answer #5 · answered by tinkertailorcandlestickmaker 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They have different specific gravities, so if you have a pure sample, a hydrometer will tell you which you have. This will also work for solutions if you know the % solution.
2007-05-25 10:49:48 · answer #6 · answered by Helmut 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋