Given below are two statements: 

Assertion A: $$pK_a$$ value of phenol is $$10.0$$ while that of ethanol is $$15.9$$. 

Reason R: Ethanol is stronger acid than phenol.

In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:

We need to evaluate the Assertion (A) and Reason (R) about the acidity of phenol and ethanol.

Assertion A: "$$pK_a$$ value of phenol is 10.0 while that of ethanol is 15.9."

This is a factual statement and is TRUE. A lower $$pK_a$$ value indicates a stronger acid. Phenol ($$pK_a = 10.0$$) is a stronger acid than ethanol ($$pK_a = 15.9$$) because the phenoxide ion ($$C_6H_5O^-$$) is stabilized by resonance with the aromatic ring, while the ethoxide ion ($$C_2H_5O^-$$) has no such stabilization.

Reason R: "Ethanol is stronger acid than phenol."

This is FALSE. As explained above, phenol is a much stronger acid than ethanol (lower $$pK_a$$). The statement has the comparison reversed.

The correct answer is Option (1): A is true but R is false.