Question detail
What happens when carboxylic acids react with alcohols?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Reactions of alkenes and alcohols (chemistry only)
Question
- A. They produce carbon dioxide.
- B. They form esters.
- C. They produce water.
- D. They form salts.
Answer
The correct option is They form esters..
Explanation
The correct option is They form esters.. They form esters. is correct because it directly supports the approved learning objective to describe what happens when any of the first four carboxylic acids react with alcohols. This belongs to Carboxylic acids within Reactions of alkenes and alcohols (chemistry only), so the answer must use the correct organic chemistry context. The other options are incorrect when they confuse the organic family, formula type, reaction condition, product, or property being tested. 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.
Common mistake
Confusion Between Carboxylic Acids and Alcohols
Students often confuse the functional groups of carboxylic acids and alcohols, leading to incorrect descriptions of their reactions.
Review the functional groups: carboxylic acids contain –COOH, while alcohols contain –OH. Practice writing the reactions between them to reinforce understanding.
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