- Amal Augustine
- January 24, 2026
Amazing Ethyl Alcohol Properties and Uses in Chemistry Made Easy
Ethyl alcohol, commonly known as ethanol, is one of the most important organic compounds studied in chemistry. It has the molecular formula C₂H₅OH and belongs to the class of compounds called alcohols. In chemistry education, the topic ethyl alcohol properties and uses in chemistry is essential because ethanol plays a crucial role in laboratory work, industrial chemistry, and everyday chemical applications. Understanding ethyl alcohol properties and uses in chemistry helps aspirants connect theoretical concepts with real-world chemical behavior.
Physical Properties of Ethyl Alcohol
One of the key aspects of ethyl alcohol properties and uses in chemistry is its physical nature. Ethyl alcohol is a colorless, volatile liquid with a characteristic pleasant smell. It has a boiling point of 78°C, which is lower than that of water due to weaker intermolecular forces. Ethanol is completely miscible with water because it can form hydrogen bonds, a property that is frequently discussed while learning ethyl alcohol properties and uses in chemistry.
Ethyl alcohol has a density of about 0.789 g/mL, making it lighter than water. This property allows it to be easily separated and handled in laboratory experiments related to ethyl alcohol properties and uses in chemistry.
Ethyl Alcohol Properties and Uses in Chemistry
The chemical behavior of ethanol is another major focus in ethyl alcohol properties and uses in chemistry. Ethyl alcohol undergoes combustion to produce carbon dioxide and water, releasing a large amount of heat. This reaction is often used to explain oxidation reactions in ethyl alcohol properties and uses in chemistry.
Ethanol reacts with sodium metal to form sodium ethoxide and hydrogen gas. It can also undergo oxidation to form acetaldehyde and acetic acid under controlled conditions. These reactions make ethanol an important example while studying ethyl alcohol properties and uses in chemistry at the school and college levels.
Ethyl Alcohol as a Solvent
One of the most significant points in ethyl alcohol properties and uses in chemistry is its role as a solvent. Ethanol dissolves a wide range of organic and inorganic substances, which makes it extremely useful in chemical laboratories. Many reactions are carried out in ethanol because it provides a stable medium, reinforcing the importance of ethyl alcohol properties and uses in chemistry.
Ethanol is also used in extraction processes, chromatography, and preparation of solutions, further highlighting ethyl alcohol properties and uses in chemistry.
Uses in Chemical Industries
Industrial applications form a major part of ethyl alcohol propertties and uses in chemistry. Ethanol is used as a raw material in the manufacture of chemicals such as acetic acid, ethyl acetate, diethyl ether, and chloroform. These derivatives are essential in pharmaceuticals, plastics, and cosmetics, demonstrating practical ethyl alcohol properties and uses in chemistry.
Uses in Laboratories and Education
In laboratories, ethanol is widely used as a disinfectant, cleaning agent, and reagent. It is also used in preserving biological specimens. These routine applications make ethyl alcohol properties and uses in chemistry highly relevant for students performing experiments.
Ethanol is also used as a standard fuel in spirit lamps, which are commonly used in school laboratories, again emphasizing ethyl alcohol properties and uses in chemistry.
Environmental and Biological Importance
Another important aspect of ethyl alcohol properties and uses in chemistry is its relatively eco-friendly nature when used as a biofuel. Ethanol blended with petrol reduces harmful emissions. In biochemistry, ethanol is studied for its effects on biological systems, which further expands ethyl alcohol properties and uses in chemistry.
Safety Considerations
While discussing ethyl alcohol properties and uses in chemistry, safety cannot be ignored. Ethanol is flammable and must be handled carefully in laboratories. Prolonged exposure or consumption is harmful, so proper safety measures are always emphasized in ethyl alcohol properties and uses in chemistry.
Ethyl Alcohol Properties and Uses in Chemistry MCQs with Answers:
1.
2.5 cm³ of 0.2 M H₂SO₄ solution is diluted to 0.5 dm³. Find the normality of the diluted solution.
A. 0.2 N
B. 0.02 N
C. 0.002 N
D. 0.04 N
Answer: C
2.
450 mg of glucose is dissolved in 100 g of solvent. What is the molality of the solution?
A. 0.0025 m
B. 0.025 m
C. 0.28 m
D. 2.5 m
Answer: B
3.
200 mL of water is added to 500 mL of 0.2 M solution. What is the molarity of the diluted solution?
A. 0.5010 M
B. 0.2897 M
C. 0.7093 M
D. 0.1428 M
Answer: D
4.
The vapour pressure of 100 g water reduces from 3000 Nm⁻² to 2985 Nm⁻² when 5 g of substance X is dissolved in it. Substance X is:
A. Methanol
B. Glucose
C. Carbon dioxide
D. Cannot predict
Answer: B
5.
What is the molarity of 0.2 N Na₂CO₃ solution?
A. 0.1 M
B. 0 M
C. 0.4 M
D. 0.2 M
Answer: A
6.
36 g of glucose (molar mass = 180 g/mol) is present in 500 g of water. The molarity of the solution is:
A. 0.2
B. 0.4
C. 0.1
D. 0.8
Answer: B
7.
On mixing, heptane and octane form an ideal solution. Vapour pressure of the solution obtained is:
A. 72.0 kPa
B. 96.2 kPa
C. 36.1 kPa
D. 144.5 kPa
Answer: A
8.
Volume of 0.6 M NaOH required to neutralize 30 cm³ of 0.4 M HCl is:
A. 30 cm³
B. 45 cm³
C. 20 cm³
D. 50 cm³
Answer: C
9.
What is the volume of 0.1 M H₂SO₄ required to neutralize completely 1 L of solution containing 20 g of NaOH?
A. 5 L
B. 0.5 L
C. 2.5 L
D. 10 L
Answer: C
10.
Equal weights of methane and oxygen are mixed in an empty container at 25°C. The fraction of total pressure exerted by oxygen is:
A. 1/2
B. 2/3
C. 1/4
D. 1/3
Answer: D
11.
What is the normality of a solution containing 20 g acetic acid in 2 L of solution?
A. 0.20 N
B. 1.06 N
C. 4.00 N
D. 0.166 N
Answer: D
12.
What is the total number of moles of H₂SO₄ needed to prepare 5.0 L of a 2.0 M solution?
A. 2.5
B. 5
C. 10
D. 2
Answer: C
13.
2.5 L of NaCl solution contains 5 moles of solute. What is the molarity?
A. 5 M
B. 2 M
C. 1.25 M
D. 0.25 M
Answer: B
14.
The strength of the resulting acid mixture is:
A. 0.1 N
B. 0.2 N
C. 0.3 N
D. 0.4 N
Answer: B
15.
When 10 A current is passed for 80 minutes, the volume of hydrogen gas liberated is:
A. 11.14 L
B. 5.57 L
C. 22.4 L
D. 2.78 L
Answer: B
16.
The volume of decinormal solution obtained is:
A. 0.1 dm³
B. 0.2 dm³
C. 2 dm³
D. 1.7 dm³
Answer: C
17.
Number of equivalents of KMnO₄ present is:
A. 0.02
B. 0.05
C. 0.04
D. 0.07
Answer: B
18.
0.01 mole of a non-electrolyte is dissolved in 10 g of water. Molality is:
A. 0.01 m
B. 0.5 m
C. 1.0 m
D. 0.18 m
Answer: C
19.
The molarity and molality of the solution respectively are:
A. 0.75 M and 1.0 m
B. 0.8 M and 0.8 m
C. 1.0 M and 0.8 m
D. 1.0 M and 0.75 m
Answer: C
20.
Vapour pressure (in mmHg) of X and Y in pure states are:
A. 200 and 300
B. 300 and 400
C. 400 and 600
D. 500 and 600
Answer: C
21.
Binary solution of heptane and ethanol shows:
A. Ideal behavior
B. Positive deviation from Raoult’s law
C. Negative deviation from Raoult’s law
D. Mixed deviation
Answer: B
22.
Moles of Na₂CO₃ formed from 0.2 moles NaHCO₃ are:
A. 0.2
B. 0.1
C. 0.05
D. 0.025
Answer: B
23.
Molality that produces elevation in boiling point of 1 K is:
A. 0.512 m
B. 0.195 m
C. 1.95 m
D. 5.12 m
Answer: C
24.
Normality of the acid mixture is:
A. 0.56 N
B. 0.50 N
C. 0.40 N
D. 0.35 N
Answer: A
25.
Molarity of 98% H₂SO₄ is:
A. 18 M
B. 10 M
C. 4 M
D. 6 M
Answer: A
26.
Mole fraction of non-volatile solute is:
A. 0.125
B. 0.5
C. 0.625
D. 0.25
Answer: D
27.
Volume of H₂O₂ required is:
A. 11.2 mL
B. 22.4 mL
C. 33.6 mL
D. 44.8 mL
Answer: D
28.
Which concentration term is affected by temperature?
A. Molarity
B. Molality
C. Weight fraction
D. Mole fraction
Answer: A
29.
Concentration of “10 volume” H₂O₂ is:
A. 30%
B. 3%
C. 1%
D. 10%
Answer: B
30.
Volume of water added to get decinormal solution is:
A. 400 cm³
B. 450 cm³
C. 500 cm³
D. 100 cm³
Answer: A
Conclusion on Ethyl Alcohol Properties and Uses in Chemistry
In conclusion, ethyl alcohol properties and uses in chemistry cover a wide range of physical properties, chemical reactions, laboratory applications, and industrial importance. From acting as a solvent to serving as a reactant and fuel, ethanol remains a cornerstone compound in chemistry. A thorough understanding of ethyl alcohol properties and uses in chemistry is essential for aspirants preparing for board exams, NEET, JEE, and CUET, as it bridges fundamental theory with practical chemical applications.
Amal Augustine is the founder of ExQuizMe, a dynamic learning and quiz platform built to make education engaging, competitive, and fun. A passionate learner and an academic achiever, Amal completed his schooling at Government HSS Manjapra, graduating with 92.5% in Computer Science. He later earned his degree from St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi, one of India’s most prestigious arts and science institutions.
Currently, Amal is pursuing his Master’s degree at National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan, where he continues to deepen his interest in research and technology. Throughout his school and college years, he won 50+ national-level interschool and collegiate quiz competitions, was
Beyond academics, Amal Augustine is an avid reader of science journals, a dedicated research student, and a technology enthusiast who loves programming and exploring the world of Computer Science. Through ExQuizMe, he aims to make learning accessible, enjoyable, and empowering for students across the globe.