The polarity of ethanol and ethyl acetate
is related to its molecular structure and charge distribution. For ethanol, the molecular formula is\ (C_ {2} H_ {5} OH\), and there are hydroxyl groups in its molecules\ (-OH\). The oxygen atom in the hydroxyl group has strong electronegativity and forms a polar covalent bond with the hydrogen atom, which makes the electron cloud biased towards the oxygen atom, resulting in uneven distribution of molecular charges and polarity.

And ethyl acetate, the molecular formula is\ (CH_ {3} COOC_ {2} H_ {5}\). Although its molecule contains carbonyl group\ (C = O\) and ester group\ (-COO -\), it is also polar. However, compared with ethanol, the polar interaction between carbonyl and ester groups in ethyl acetate is less uniform in charge distribution than that of ethanol due to the influence of alkyl groups in the molecular structure.

The hydroxyl group of ethanol can form hydrogen bonds, which enhance the intermolecular force and also demonstrate its remarkable polarity. In contrast, ethyl acetate, although it has polar groups, is difficult to form hydrogen bonds like ethanol.

Therefore, in terms of polarity, ethanol is better than ethyl acetate. This is not only a theoretical analysis, but also can be proved by experimental phenomena. For example, in some extraction experiments, ethanol has stronger affinity with polar substances, and it is also possible to dissolve due to polar similarity.