Why is vinegar considered a solution?

Question

I need to know this for my physical science class and i just don't get why it's a solution. Help! (please and thank you(: )

Answer 1

Acetic acid is available in crystal or liquid (water-free) forms. Acetic acid is also very hygroscopic, meaning that is readily absorbs moisture from the air, so its difficult to keep crystalized acetic acid dry for long if its left sitting out. Most household vinegars are a 5% solution of acetic acid an water. Though the commercial preparation of vinegar does not actually involve dissolving acetic acid crystals in water, vinegar is indeed a solution. This is because when the water and acetic acid molecules mix together they form solvating hydrogen bonding interactions. That is, acetic acid and water form hydrogen bonds in addition to the hydrogen bonds water forms with itself and that acetic acid can form with itself (an acetic acid dimer). The presence of this solvation reaction means the combination is a solution and not a mixture. Mixtures are present when no reaction occurs.

Answer 2

Vinegar's not pure acetic acid. It's usually diluted with quite a bit of water, and contains many of the remnants of its fabrication process (White wine vinegar is different from say, balsamic, and I think balsamic could be considered a heterogeneous solution as it does have bits and pieces of solids in there).

Answer 3

It is a dilute solution of acetic acid in water.

Answer 4

it is a well mixed mixture