C3

GCSE Questions from

AQA past papers
2009-2013

Organic Chemistry
alcohols carboxylic acids and esters
 Do not write
10 outside the
box

4 The structures shown are of the first three members of a homologous series of alcohols.

4 (a) (i) Draw a ring around the correct general formula for alcohols.

CnH2n+1OH C2nH2n+1OH CnH2n+2OH

(1 mark)

4 (a) (ii) What is the formula of the functional group for alcohols?

............................................................................................................................................
(1 mark)

4 (b) Ethanol is the alcohol used in alcoholic drinks.

4 (b) (i) When ethanol dissolves in water the solution formed is not alkaline.

Tick (!) the reason why the solution formed is not alkaline.

Reason Tick (!)

Ethanol can be used as a solvent.

Ethanol dissolves in water to form hydroxide ions.

Ethanol has only covalent bonds in its molecule.

(1 mark)

4 (b) (ii) Ethanol is used as a fuel because ethanol burns in oxygen.

Complete and balance the chemical equation for this reaction.

C2H5OH + ................O2 2 CO2 + ................

(2 marks)

GCSE Chemistry 3 Specimen Paper Higher Tier V1.0

 Do not write
11 outside the
box

4 (c) Ethanol can be oxidised to produce the compound shown.

H C C O

H OH

4 (c) (i) Draw a ring around the correct answer to complete the sentence.

acidic.

When this compound dissolves in water, the solution formed is alkaline.

neutral.
(1 mark)

4 (c) (ii) Ethanol reacts with this compound to produce the organic compound shown.

C2H5OH + CH3COOH CH3COOC2H5 + H2O

Complete the sentence.

The type of organic compound produced is ..................................................................... .

(1 mark)

Turn over for the next question

Turn over !
GCSE Chemistry 3 Specimen Paper Higher Tier V1.0
 .

Alcohols
1 Ethanol C2H5OH, is an alcohol.
It can be produced by the fermentation of sugars.
Fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature.

(a) During fermentation, bubbles of a gas are formed.

Which gas is formed in this reaction?

Put a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.

(1)
A carbon dioxide
B ethene
C hydrogen
D oxygen

(b) Explain why the temperature of the fermentation of sugars has to be controlled.
(2)

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126 Edexcel GCSE in Chemistry Sample Assessment Materials © Edexcel Limited 2011
 (c) Fermentation produces a dilute solution of ethanol.
This solution can be concentrated using the apparatus shown in the photograph.

fractionating Liebig condenser

column

dilute solution concentrated

of ethanol solution of
ethanol

electric
heater

What process is shown in the photograph?

(1)

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(d) Ethanol belongs to the homologous series of alcohols.

What is meant by the term homologous series?

(2)

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Edexcel GCSE in Chemistry Sample Assessment Materials © Edexcel Limited 2011 127
 (e) Ethanol can also be produced commercially from ethene as well as by the
fermentation of sugars.

A factory needs a large quantity of pure ethanol to make antifreeze for cars.

Explain which method of manufacturing ethanol would be most useful for the
factory.
(2)

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(Total for Question 1 = 8 marks)

128 Edexcel GCSE in Chemistry Sample Assessment Materials © Edexcel Limited 2011
 Carboxylic acids and esters
2 An ester is a compound formed when an alcohol reacts with a carboxylic acid.

(a) Ethanoic acid is one of the simplest carboxylic acids that can be used to make esters.
(i) Complete the equation for the reaction of ethanoic acid with ethanol to form
an ester.
(1)

O
CH3COOH + C2H5OH CH3C +
O C2H5 ..................................
ethanoic acid ethanol

(ii) What is the name of the ester formed in this reaction?

Put a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
(1)
A ethanol carboxylate
B ethyl carboxylate
C ethanol ethanoate
D ethyl ethanoate
(iii) Ethanoic acid reacts with metal carbonates.
Describe what you would see when ethanoic acid reacts with sodium
carbonate.
(2)

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