Introduction
Ethanol and methanol are both alcohols with similar molecular structures. However, ethanol is more acidic than methanol. This is due to several factors that affect the acidity of the two alcohols.

Factors affecting acidity
There are several factors that affect the acidity of alcohols, including:

Electronegativity of the attached atom
The electronegativity of the atom attached to the hydroxyl group affects the acidity of alcohols. The more electronegative the attached atom, the more acidic the alcohol. In methanol, the attached atom is a methyl group, which is less electronegative than the ethyl group attached to the hydroxyl group in ethanol. Therefore, ethanol is more acidic than methanol.

Size of the attached atom
The size of the attached atom also affects the acidity of alcohols. Larger atoms destabilize the negative charge that forms on the oxygen atom when the hydroxyl group loses a proton. In methanol, the attached methyl group is smaller than the ethyl group attached to the hydroxyl group in ethanol. Therefore, ethanol is more acidic than methanol.

Solvent effects
The solvent in which the alcohol is dissolved also affects its acidity. In polar solvents, the acidity of alcohols increases due to the stabilization of the negative charge that forms on the oxygen atom when the hydroxyl group loses a proton. Ethanol is more soluble in water than methanol, which means that it experiences stronger solvent effects. Therefore, ethanol is more acidic than methanol.

Conclusion
In conclusion, ethanol is more acidic than methanol due to several factors that affect the acidity of alcohols, including the electronegativity and size of the attached atom, and solvent effects. These factors contribute to the destabilization of the negative charge that forms on the oxygen atom when the hydroxyl group loses a proton, making ethanol more acidic than methanol.

Ethoxide ion is a stronger base than hydroxide ion. Thus ethanol is a weaker acid than water. It is true for all alcohols except methanol, which is slightly more acidic than water.