It is a colourless liquid with a sharp pungent odour and tastes like vinegar. Because pure acetic acid freezes at slightly below room temperature, it is hence known as glacial acetic acid. Acetic acid can be prepared by the action of air on some solutions of alcohol in the presence of certain bacteria, such as Bacterium Aceti.
Acetic acid is also corrosive.
It reacts vigorously with oxidising materials and attacks most common metals. It acts as an excellent solvent for many synthetic resins or rubber. Acetic acid is also used in the production of acetate rayon, plastics, photographic film, paint solvents, tomato sauce and medicines such as aspirin. It boils at 118 Degrees Celsius and melts at 17 Degrees Celsius. Sodium Bicarbonate Sodium Bicarbonate, or baking soda, is a white powder with a specific gravity of 2.16.