Difference Between Acetone and Water (With Table)

Acetone and Water are both different in their ways based on their transparency, odour, colour, and taste. But both are important in their ways, and thus, it becomes necessary to understand what acetone and water are, to differentiate them well, and to understand their importance in living organisms.

Acetone Vs Water

The main difference between Acetone and Water is that Acetone is the simplest ketone with a specific odour, on the other hand, Water is an inorganic compound, which is odourless.

Acetone is found naturally in the environment in plants, trees, forest fires, vehicle exhaust, and as a breakdown product of animal fat metabolism, and it is a manufactured chemical with a specific smell and taste. It has no colour, and it evaporates quite easily. Acetone is flammable and can dissolve in water.

Water is one of the most essential compounds for the survival of human beings. It is composed of the chemical elements hydrogen and oxygen and exists in solid, liquid, and gaseous states. It has no taste or odour at room temperature. Water can dissolve many other substances. Water is versatile and has the utmost importance in this world.

Comparison Table Between Acetone and Water

What is Acetone?

Acetone, also known as 2-propanone or dimethyl ketone, is the simplest ketone that is colourless, aromatic, and flammable. Acetone can dissolve many fats and resins as well as cellulose esters.

Acetone can easily mix with water and quickly evaporates in the air. It is used in nail polish removers, textile industries, and lacquers.

Acetone can easily mix with water and quickly evaporates in the air. It is used in nail polish removers, textile industries, and lacquers.
The Food and Drugs Administration has Generally Recognized ketone as Safe, but it has some risks.

Acetone is flammable; thus, it shouldn’t be used in an open flame. It can also irritate if inhaled. It is also poisonous if consumed in large amounts by children or adults.

To prevent the risks of Acetone, it’s important to use it safely in a well-ventilated space, keep it away from children, foods, and drinks, close the bottles tightly and use protective equipment.

What is Water?

Water is one of the most important compounds found on this Earth, although the molecules of Earth look simple, it is very complicated.

Almost 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered by water. The chemical formula of Water is H20, which means one water molecule comprises two hydrogens and one oxygen atom.

There are three states of water: solid, liquid, and gaseous. The solid state of water is known as Ice. The liquid state of water makes up the surface of the Earth. The gaseous state of water is known as vapours.

There is a concept of the water cycle, which is an integral part of other biochemical cycles and affects all life processes on the Earth, where water changes its state from one phase to another. Yet, the total number of particles remains the same. There is various process by which water changes its state; it can be evaporation, melting and freezing, sublimation, condensation, and deposition. These changes can happen with the help of the application of energy. The water cycle has a tremendous impact on the climate and even cleans our air.

Water is colourless and has no taste; it has high thermal conductivity and heat. It is also called a ‘Universal Solvent’ as most substance dissolves.

Water is found in bodies such as the sea, oceans, rivers, ponds, lakes, and tanks. Water is used for various purposes, from domestic to agricultural and even in industrial applications.

Water is being used widely, and thus, we need to conserve it and save it for future generations. Dams and Rainwater Harvesting helps in conserving water.

Main Differences Between Acetone and Water

1. Occurrence – Acetone occurs in animals, plants, vehicle exhaust, forest fires, volcanic gases, etc., while Water is mostly found in oceans and seas, covering 71% of the surface of the Earth.
2. Presence in the human body- When the stock of carbohydrates gets depleted after long starvation or a diet, the fat is decomposed, producing acetone, while there is 70-75% water in the human body.
3. Toxicity- Acetone is toxic and causes dizziness due to inhaled vapours. On the other hand, Water is the least toxic compound.
4. Use- Acetone produces plastics, film strips, acetate silk, synthetic rubber, smokeless gunpowder, and some medicines to clean contaminated surfaces as a solvent for paints, varnishes, various organic synthetic reactions, etc. In contrast, Water is used in agriculture, industrial needs, energy production, and domestic purposes.
5. Odour- Acetone has a specific odour, while Water has no smell.

Conclusion

We have seen the differences between Acetone and Water. We can understand that both are different in their forms and ways, and their uses vary. Their importance impacts our lives differently; both are important for survival. We can conclude that Acetone and Water are not just chemical compounds or substances, but they have their special features and properties, which we can’t neglect.

References

1. https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2014/an/c3an00963g
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1383586615000441