Question 1 Medium
Name the ester made from ethanol and ethanoic acid.
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Answer: ethyl ethanoate
- The first word comes from the alcohol.
- The ester is ethyl ethanoate.
Alkenes, alcohols and carboxylic acids: GCSE Combined Science Chemistry practice questions
A second set of questions on alkenes, alcohols and carboxylic acids. They are different from the ones on the topic page. Try each, then open the answer and compare your working.
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Question 2 Medium
Name the gas given off when ethanoic acid is added to sodium carbonate.
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Answer: carbon dioxide
- A carboxylic acid reacts with a carbonate.
- The gas is carbon dioxide.
Question 3 Medium
Name the product when ethene reacts with bromine.
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Answer: dibromoethane
- Bromine adds across the double bond.
- Two bromine atoms join to the two carbons.
Question 4 Medium
Name the alcohol that has three carbon atoms.
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Answer: propanol
- The stem for three carbons is prop.
- Alcohol names end in -anol.
Question 5 Hard
Write the balanced equation for the complete combustion of ethanol.
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Answer: C₂H₅OH + 3O₂ → 2CO₂ + 3H₂O
- Ethanol is C₂H₅OH.
- C₂H₅OH + 3O₂ → 2CO₂ + 3H₂O
Question 6 Hard
Write a balanced equation for ethene reacting with steam to make ethanol.
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Answer: C₂H₄ + H₂O → C₂H₅OH
- Ethene is C₂H₄ and steam is H₂O.
- C₂H₄ + H₂O → C₂H₅OH
Question 7 Hard
Explain why ethanoic acid is described as a weak acid.
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Answer: it is only partly ionised in water
- It is only partly ionised in water.
- So it releases fewer hydrogen ions.
Question 8 Hard
Give one advantage of making ethanol by fermentation instead of from ethene.
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Answer: it uses a renewable resource
- Fermentation uses sugar from plants.
- It is a renewable resource.
Quick checks
Short questions with options. Choose one before you open the answer.
Check 1
What is the general formula of alkenes?
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CₙH₂ₙ.
Check 2
What is the functional group of alkenes?
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The C=C double bond.
Check 3
What does unsaturated mean?
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Containing a carbon-carbon double bond.
Check 4
What is the test for an alkene?
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Bromine water turns from orange to colourless.
Check 5
What is formed when ethene reacts with hydrogen?
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Ethane.
Check 6
What is formed when ethene reacts with steam?
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Ethanol.
Check 7
What catalyst is used for adding hydrogen to alkenes?
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Nickel.
Check 8
What is the functional group of alcohols?
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–OH.
Check 9
What is the formula of ethanol?
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C₂H₅OH.
Check 10
What is made when ethanol burns completely?
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Carbon dioxide and water.
Check 11
What are the products of fermentation of glucose?
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Ethanol and carbon dioxide.
Check 12
What is the functional group of carboxylic acids?
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–COOH.
Check 13
What is the formula of ethanoic acid?
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CH₃COOH.
Check 14
Are carboxylic acids strong or weak?
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Weak acids.
Check 15
What do carboxylic acids make with alcohols?
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Esters and water.
Check 16
Give a use of esters.
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Perfumes and food flavourings.
Check 17
What is an addition reaction?
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Two molecules join to make one product.
Check 18
What is a hydrocarbon?
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A compound that contains only hydrogen and carbon atoms.
Check 19
What colour is bromine water?
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Orange.
Check 20
What is the formula of ethene?
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C₂H₄.
Check 21
How are alkenes made from larger alkanes?
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By cracking.
Check 22
Why do alkenes burn with a smoky flame?
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They have a greater proportion of carbon than alkanes.
Check 23
Why are vegetable oils reacted with hydrogen?
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To harden them and make margarine.
Check 24
What does sodium make with ethanol?
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Hydrogen and a sodium alkoxide, more slowly than with water.
Check 25
What temperature is used in fermentation?
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About 30 °C, without oxygen.
Check 26
Which carboxylic acid is in vinegar?
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Ethanoic acid.
Check 27
What is the formula of ethyl ethanoate?
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CH₃COOC₂H₅.
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