What is the difference between methyl alcohol and ethyl alcohol?

Answer 1

The snarky answer would be "the 'm'". However, ethyl alcohol has the formula C₂H₅OH and methyl alcohol CH₃OH. Drink the former and you might have a good time. Drink the latter and you might go blind or die.

Answer 2

Methyl alcohol has 1 carbon while ethyl alcohol has 2 carbons. The prefix methyl means one carbon. The prefix ethyl means two carbons