Science Experiment On Odor Changes of Various Chemicals The purpose of my experiment was to research and determine why the odor changed after mixing several controlled substances. The experiment involves esterification, which is the reaction of carboxylic acids and alcohol’s to form esters. First, I put 4 ml of vinegar in a test tube and noted the odor, I then added 1 ml of ethyl alcohol and noted the odor. Lastly, I was to add seven drops of sulfuric acid while stirring over a Bunsen burner. I then repeated this process with salicylic acid and methyl alcohol. In this project, my main objective was to accomplish why the odor changed after