New
New
Year 11
Edexcel
Foundation

Alcohols

I can describe and explain properties and reactions of alcohols.

New
New
Year 11
Edexcel
Foundation

Alcohols

I can describe and explain properties and reactions of alcohols.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Alcohols can react, at their functional group -OH, with sodium, oxygen, water, or an oxidising agent.
  2. Alcohols need less oxygen than equivalent alkanes in order to burn completely.
  3. Alcohols are good solvents which also mix with water.
  4. The boiling point of ethanol is much higher than the boiling point of ethane.
  5. Ethanol can be formed via fermentation of glucose (renewable) or via hydration of ethene (non-renewable).

Common misconception

Incorrectly writing the molecular formula of alcohols.

Help students understand the difference between structural formula, e.g C₂H₅OH, and molecular formula, e.g C₂H₆O.

Keywords

  • Alcohol - Alcohols are a homologous series of compounds that contain the -OH functional group.

  • Functional group - The functional group is the atom or group of atoms responsible for the way a compound reacts.

  • Solvent - A solvent is a liquid into which a solute dissolves.

  • Fermentation - Fermentation is a process that produces solutions of ethanol from sugar, resulting from the anaerobic respiration of microorganisms.

  • Hydration - A reaction involving the addition of water is known as hydration.

Demo whoosh bottle to show the combustion of alcohols.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Whoosh bottle resources - reaction vessel, rubber stopper, splint attached to metre ruler, and alcohols. Complete your own risk assessment.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Loading...

6 Questions

Q1.
Identify which of the following homologous series the molecule in the image shown belongs to.
An image in a quiz
alkanes
Correct answer: alkenes
alcohols
carboxylic acids
esters
Q2.
What name is given to the atom or group of atoms responsible for the way a compound reacts?
Correct Answer: functional group
Q3.
Alcohols can undergo complete combustion. Which of the following are the products of complete combustion?
Correct answer: carbon dioxide and water
carbon dioxide and hydrogen
carbon dioxide and oxygen
carbon dioxide only
Q4.
The image shows a molecule of ethanol. Which of the following is the molecular formula of ethanol?
An image in a quiz
C₂H₅O
Correct answer: C₂H₆O
C₂H₇O
C₂H₅
C₂H₆
Q5.
Which of the following alcohols can be produced from butene?
methanol
ethanol
propanol
Correct answer: butanol
Q6.
Which of the following is the name of the molecule shown in the image?
An image in a quiz
methanol
ethanol
Correct answer: propanol
butanol
pentanol

6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following alcohols is shown in the image?
An image in a quiz
butanol
ethanol
methanol
Correct answer: propanol
Q2.
What is the name of the process that produces solutions of ethanol from sugar, resulting from the anaerobic respiration of microorganisms?
Correct Answer: fermentation
Q3.
Which of the following gases is formed when alcohols react with sodium?
oxygen
carbon dioxide
Correct answer: hydrogen
methane
nitrogen
Q4.
Which of the following products may contain alcohol?
crayons
Correct answer: wine
Correct answer: perfume
Correct answer: fuels
clothing
Q5.
Which of the following statements are correct?
Correct answer: The boiling point of ethanol is much higher than the boiling point of ethane.
The boiling point of ethanol is similar to the boiling point of ethane.
The boiling point of ethanol is much lower than the boiling point of ethane.
Ethanol requires more oxygen than ethane to completely combust.
Correct answer: Ethanol requires less oxygen than ethane to completely combust.
Q6.
Which of the following are disadvantages of making ethanol by hydration of ethene?
large areas of land are required
Correct answer: energy costs are high
Correct answer: equipment is expensive
product is impure
Correct answer: ethene comes from crude oil, which is non–renewable