How would you distinguish experimentally between an alcohol and a carboxylic acid?

Solution: In reaction with sodium carbonate, carboxylic acids produce carbon dioxide gas which turns lime water milky, whereas alcohols do not give this reaction. This experiment can be used to distinguish alcohol and carboxylic acid.

The reaction of the carboxylic acid with sodium carbonate:

2CH₃COOH + Na₂CO₃ → 2CH₃COONa + H₂O + CO₂