Why are carboxylic acids more acidic than alcohols or phenols although all of them have a hydrogen atom attached to an oxygen atom (—O—H)?
Why are carboxylic acids more acidic than alcohols or phenols although all of them have a hydrogen atom attached to an oxygen atom (—O—H)?

Solution:

Due to the resonance in carboxylic acids, the negative charge is at the more electronegative oxygen whereas, in alcohols or phenols, the negative charge is on a less electronegative atom. Thus, carboxylic acids can release proton easier than alcohols or phenols.