Alcohols

This lesson covers:

  1. What 'alcohols' are
  2. The properties of alcohols
  3. The uses of alcohols
Diagram showing the functional group of an alcohol with a hydroxyl group OH attached to a carbon atom.

Alcohols are a homologous , with a functional group of .

series
OH

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What is the general formula for alcohols?

CnH2nOH

CnH2n+1OH

CnH2n+2OH

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An alcohol has six carbon atoms and one OH group.


What is its chemical formula?

C6H11OH

C6H14OH

C6H13OH

C6H12OH

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Diagram showing the structure of an alcohol molecule with three carbon atoms and a hydroxyl group.

Alcohols have a similar name to alkanes except the 'e' at the end is replaced by an 'ol'.


What is the name of the molecule above?

Propanol

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What is the displayed formula of butanol? 


When you're ready to check your answer, click 'Continue'.

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Diagram showing the structure of a methanol molecule with one carbon, four hydrogen atoms, and one hydroxyl group.

What is the molecule above called? 

Methane

Methene

Methanol

Methanoic acid

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What are the properties of alcohols?

(Select all that apply)

They are soluble

They are flammable

They are unsaturated

They can be oxidised to carboxylic acids

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All alcohols can undergo combustion reactions to form CO2 and H2O.


Balance this combustion reaction:


C4H9OH + O2 ➔ CO2 + H2O

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solidify / dissolve / 5 / 7 / 9


Alcohols can in water.


Alcohols are not acidic or alkaline, therefore their pH is .

dissolve
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Illustration of a flask containing a liquid representing alcohol.

What are some uses of alcohols?

(Select all that apply)

As a solvent in industry

As a fertiliser

As a fuel

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