What happens when any of the first four alcohols react with sodium?

When alcohols react with sodium, they produce hydrogen gas and a sodium alkoxide. For example, when ethanol reacts with sodium, sodium ethoxide and hydrogen gas are formed.

This question tests the student's understanding of the reaction between alcohols and sodium, which is a key reaction in organic chemistry. The answer demonstrates knowledge of the products formed during the reaction. This response is aligned to Alcohols because it explains describe what happens when any of the first four alcohols react with sodium using the correct AQA GCSE Chemistry organic context. Keep molecular formula, structural formula, displayed formula, and general formula distinct. Do not confuse alkanes with alkenes, saturated with unsaturated, cracking with combustion, polymers with monomers, or hydrocarbons with oxygen-containing alcohols and carboxylic acids. When formulae are used, preserve the stored notation exactly and explain the GCSE chemistry idea in words rather than using unsupported displayed-formula diagrams.