[shirleyisgood]

according to the internet, the boiling point of ethanoic acid is over 100oC, then why is it volatile? the boiling pt is quite high~

[Ari Ben Canaan]

according to the internet, the boiling point of ethanoic acid is over 100oC, then why is it volatile? the boiling pt is quite high~

It actually has a boiling point of around 120 deg. C.

I suspect this is because of the hydrogen bonds it can form between individual molecules. Additionally, it has the ability to make use of induced dipole dipole forces.

I don't understand how you can consider it to be volatile under these circumstances....

[Arkcon]

according to the internet, the boiling point of ethanoic acid is over 100oC, then why is it volatile? the boiling pt is quite high~

You're making a common mistake many people new to chemistry make -- you're conflating boiling point, volatility and perhaps vapor pressure as if they were synonyms, and they're not.  Look here:  http://www.chemicalforums.com/index.php?topic=50719.0  A similar question came up recently.  Re-visit the definitions, and look around you, at atmospheric humidity -- do we only see water vapor in the air at high temperatures?  That is to say, we do see more at highter temp, but do we see none at all below the boiling point of water?