Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · CHEMISTRY · Section
Practical: making and testing the smell of some esters in the lab
19 practice questions
Practice questions
1–10 of 19
Question 1
1 mark · Easy
Answer and see the solution →State the catalyst commonly used in the laboratory preparation of esters from a carboxylic acid and an alcohol.
Question 2
3 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →(a)[1 mark]Give the names of the acid and alcohol used to make ethyl propanoate in the laboratory.
(b)[1 mark]State one safety precaution you should take while mixing the reactants.
(c)[1 mark]Describe how the ester can be separated from the reaction mixture after heating.
Question 3
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Explain why the mixture of reactants is heated in a beaker of hot water rather than directly over a Bunsen burner when making esters in the laboratory.
Question 4
3 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Table showing combinations and smells of esters made in a laboratory. Alcohol used Carboxylic acid used Ester formed Smell Ethanol Ethanoic acid Ethyl ethanoate Fruity, sweet Propan-1-ol Propanoic acid Propyl propanoate Banana-like Butanol Butanoic acid Butyl butanoate Pineapple (a)[1 mark]Which combination produces an ester that smells like pineapple?
(b)[1 mark]State the alcohol and carboxylic acid needed to make an ester with a banana-like smell.
(c)[1 mark]Suggest one reason why not much ester is formed during these short laboratory reactions.
Question 5
1 mark · Easy
Answer and see the solution →What is the correct method for smelling the ester produced in a laboratory preparation?
Question 6
3 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →A student is making propyl ethanoate in the laboratory.
(a)[1 mark]Write the names of the starting alcohol and carboxylic acid.
(b)[1 mark]Name the layer that will float on the water after adding sodium carbonate solution.
(c)[1 mark]State why the ester floats on water, but the alcohol and acid do not.
Question 7
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →A student follows the laboratory method to prepare an ester using 2 cm³ of ethanol (density = 0.79 g/cm³) and 2 cm³ of ethanoic acid (density = 1.05 g/cm³). Calculate the total mass of reactants (ethanol and ethanoic acid) used, in grams. Give your answer to 2 decimal places.
Question 8
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →During an esterification experiment, a student collects a layer of ester with a volume of 0.7 cm³. If the density of the ester is 0.91 g/cm³, calculate the mass of ester produced. Give your answer to 2 decimal places.
Question 9
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →State the name of the acid catalyst used in the laboratory preparation of esters, and explain why direct heating with a Bunsen burner should not be used in this experiment.
Question 10
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →(a)[1 mark]Give the names of the starting alcohol and carboxylic acid used to prepare propyl ethanoate in the laboratory.
(b)[2 marks]Briefly describe the steps you would take to make a small sample of propyl ethanoate, including any safety precautions.
(c)[1 mark]State how you would detect the formation of propyl ethanoate after the reaction.