Question detail
What is produced when butan-1-ol (C4H10O) undergoes complete combustion?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Alcohols
Question
- A. C4H10O + 5O2 → 4CO2 + 5H2O
- B. C4H10O + 6O2 → 4CO2 + 5H2O
- C. C4H10O + 3O2 → 4CO + 5H2O
- D. C4H10O + 4O2 → 4CO2 + 4H2O
Answer
C4H10O + 5O2 → 4CO2 + 5H2O
Explanation
The correct option is C4H10O + 5O2 → 4CO2 + 5H2O. C4H10O + 5O2 → 4CO2 + 5H2O is the best answer because it directly supports the AQA A-Level Chemistry objective to write equations for combustion of alcohols. This reasoning is anchored to Alcohol production and reactions in Alcohols, and it separates alcohol from similar A-Level ideas rather than relying on a vague recall statement. Other options are weaker if they use the wrong evidence, calculation, mechanism, observation, unit, or conclusion for this subtopic.
Common mistake
Combustion Equation Mistake
Students often forget to balance the combustion equation for alcohols, leading to incorrect stoichiometry.
To write the balanced equation for the combustion of ethanol (C2H5OH), use the formula: C2H5OH + O2 → CO2 + H2O. First, balance the carbon atoms: 2 CO2. Then, balance the hydrogen atoms: 3 H2O. Finally, balance the oxygen atoms: C2H5OH + 3 O2 → 2 CO2 + 3 H2O. The final balanced equation is C2H5OH + 3 O2 → 2 CO2 + 3 H2O.
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