Is ethyl alcohol the same thing as methyl alcohol?

No, ethyl alcohol (also known as ethanol) and methyl alcohol (also known as methanol) are not the same. They are both alcohols, but they have different chemical structures and properties.

* Ethyl alcohol (C2H5OH) is a two-carbon alcohol that is produced by the fermentation of sugars by yeast. It is the type of alcohol that is found in alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine, and spirits. Ethyl alcohol is also used as a solvent, a fuel, and a chemical intermediate.

* Methyl alcohol (CH3OH) is a one-carbon alcohol that is produced by the distillation of wood. It is a poisonous substance that can cause blindness, liver damage, and death if ingested. Methyl alcohol is also used as a solvent, a fuel, and a chemical intermediate.

Ethyl alcohol and methyl alcohol can be distinguished from each other by their boiling points, densities, and solubility in water. Ethyl alcohol has a boiling point of 78.3°C, a density of 0.789 g/mL, and is completely soluble in water. Methyl alcohol has a boiling point of 64.7°C, a density of 0.792 g/mL, and is also completely soluble in water.