Ethanol burns in air

2 marks · Normal

Alcohols including ethanol have similar chemical properties. State one other alcohol (by name or formula) and describe what is observed when it burns in air.

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Methanol (or another named alcohol: propanol, butanol); burns with a clean (almost invisible) blue flame (or ‘produces carbon dioxide and water’).

Also accept: CH3OH, CH3CH2OH, C3H7OH, methanol, propanol, butanol

Common mistakes: Naming aldehydes or unrelated compounds

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Marking points

B1 · 1 mark · Correct name or formula of another alcohol.

B2 · 1 mark · Describes observation: burns with a clean blue flame OR forms carbon dioxide and water.

Worked solution

Methanol (CH3OH) is another alcohol. When methanol burns in air, it produces a clean, almost invisible blue flame and forms carbon dioxide and water.