AQA · Chemistry · 8462

GCSE Chemistry: Alcohols

Organic chemistry · AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462), specification point 4.7.2.3. Cards are generated from the exam board's own specification for "Alcohols", and every card links back to the page it came from. Separate science only. Specification © AQA — used with attribution.

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  1. Alcohols contain the functional group ?.

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    –OH

  2. Name the first four members of the alcohol homologous series.

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    Methanol, ethanol, propanol and butanol.

  3. What is the structural formula of ethanol?

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    CH3CH2OH (also written C2H5OH).

  4. Which gas is produced when ethanol reacts with sodium?

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    Hydrogen — sodium reacts with the –OH group, releasing H2 and forming sodium ethoxide.

  5. What are the products when an alcohol burns completely in air?

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    Carbon dioxide and water.

  6. What happens when ethanol is added to water?

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    It dissolves (mixes) to form a neutral solution.

  7. What type of compound forms when ethanol reacts with an oxidising agent?

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    A carboxylic acid — ethanol is oxidised to ethanoic acid.

  8. Name the process that produces aqueous ethanol from sugar solutions.

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    Fermentation, using yeast.

  9. Why is fermentation carried out in the absence of oxygen?

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    Anaerobic conditions stop the ethanol being oxidised to ethanoic acid and let yeast respire anaerobically to make ethanol.

  10. What temperature range is used for fermentation of sugar with yeast?

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    About 30–40 °C — warm enough for the yeast's enzymes to work quickly but not so hot they denature.

  11. Write the balanced equation for the complete combustion of ethanol.

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    C2H5OH + 3O2 → 2CO2 + 3H2O

  12. Give one main use of ethanol other than in alcoholic drinks.

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    As a fuel or as a solvent.

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