In a test tube containing a salt, a few drops of dilute H 2 SO 4 was added, which gave colourless vapours having the smell of vinegar. The vapours turned the blue litmus paper red. Identify the co

Question

In a test tube containing a salt, a few drops of dilute H 2 ​ SO 4 ​ was added, which gave colourless vapours having the smell of vinegar. The vapours turned the blue litmus paper red. Identify the correct anion from the following :NEET 2026 (Cancelled)

TestHub · Accepted Answer

When a salt containing the acetate anion ( $CH_{3} COO^{-}$ ) is treated with dilute $H_{2} SO_{4}$ , acetic acid ( $CH_{3} COOH$ ) is formed.

$2 CH_{3} COO^{-} + H_{2} SO_{4} \to 2 CH_{3} COOH + SO_{4}^{2 -}$

Acetic acid vapours are colourless and have a characteristic smell of vinegar. Being acidic in nature, these vapours turn blue litmus paper red.

Sulphide ( $S^{2 -}$ ) gives $H_{2} S$ gas which has a rotten egg smell.

Sulphate ( $SO_{4}^{2 -}$ ) does not react with dilute $H_{2} SO_{4}$ .

Carbonate ( $CO_{3}^{2 -}$ ) gives $CO_{2}$ gas which is odourless.

Answer: Acetate, $CH_{3} COO^{-}$

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