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Chemistry Matters for GCE ‘O’ Level (2 Edition): Full Solutions to Textbook Questions Chapter 21
 

Chapter 21 An Introduction to Organic Chemistry

Test Yourself 21.1 (page 414)

1. (a) Hydroxyl group

(b) Carbon–carbon double bond
(c) Carboxylic group

2. Yes they do. Both contain the hydroxyl and carboxylic groups.

Test Yourself 21.2 (page 418)

1. Fractional distillation. Petroleum contains a mixture of hydrocarbons with different boiling points.
Fractional distillation thus separates the mixture by the use of a fractionating column. Smaller
fractions contain smaller hydrocarbons (less carbon atoms) and have lower boiling points. These are
thus collected at the top of the fractionating column. Heavier fractions contain bigger hydrocarbons
(more carbon atoms) and have higher boiling points. These are thus collected at the bottom of the
fractionating column.

2. (a) Petroleum gas; used as fuel for cooking and heating

(b) Bitumen; used for paving road surfaces and roofing

Test Yourself 21.3 (page 420)

1. Aluminium is lighter than steel. Thus, cars made of aluminium consume less petrol.

2. (a) Petroleum is used both as a fuel and also as chemical feedstock for the manufacture of
chemicals. However, the supply of petroleum is limited, so the two uses are said to compete for
this limited supply.
(b) We could cut down on the use of petroleum by reducing the number of motor vehicles on the
road or use alternative sources of energy like biofuel.

Get it Right (page 422)

(a) False. Organic compounds in the same homologous series have similar chemical but different
physical properties.
(b) True
(c) False. Petroleum is a mixture of hydrocarbons that boils over a range of temperatures.
(d) False. Petroleum gas is not natural gas.
(e) True
(f) True

Let’s Review (pages 422–423)

Section A: Multiple-Choice Questions

1. D 2. C 3. C 4. C 5. A

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Chemistry Matters for GCE ‘O’ Level (2 Edition): Full Solutions to Textbook Questions Chapter 23

Section B: Structured Questions

1. (a) Petroleum gas (most volatile) → naphtha → kerosene → diesel oil → bitumen (least volatile)
(b) (i) Bitumen
(ii) Petroleum gas
(iii) Naphtha

2. (a) Separation of petroleum into useful fractions

(b) Fractional distillation
(c) From liquid to gas (vaporisation)
(d) B is the fractionating column. As the hot petroleum vapour rises up the column, it begins to cool
and condense. The smaller fractions (smaller hydrocarbons) with low boiling points are collected
at the top of the fractionating column as gases. The heavier fractions (bigger hydrocarbons) with
high boiling points are collected at the lower sections of the fractionating column.
(e) (i) Similarities:
They are a mixture of hydrocarbons.
They are simple covalent molecules.
(ii) Differences:
Naphtha has a lower boiling point range than diesel oil.
Diesel oil contains more carbon atoms per molecule than naphtha.
(f) Hydrogen and ethanol

Section C: Free-Response Questions

1. (a) (i) All except deionised water are organic compounds.

(ii) Isobutane and pentane. Their names end in ‘–ane’.
(iii) Stearic acid. It is a carboxylic acid and thus contains the –COOH group.
(iv) Sorbitol belongs to the alcohol series. Its name ends in ‘–ol’.
(b) (i) Biodiesel (from palm oil) and biogas (from waste material of plants or animals)
(ii) Biofuel is a renewable energy resource. Thus, by using biofuel, we can conserve fossil fuels
such as petroleum, natural gas and coal.

2. (a) (i)
Element C H
Percentage by mass/% 82.8 17.2
Relative atomic mass 12 1
Number of moles/mol 82.8 17.2
= 6.9 = 17.2
12 1
Mole ratio 6.9 17.2
=1 = 2.5
6.9 6.9
Therefore, the empirical formula of Q is C2H5.
(ii) x = 4
Molecular formula of Q = C4H10
Thus, Q would be found in petroleum gas.
(b) (i) They have the same functional group, –SH.
(ii) Ethanethiol
(iii) H H H
| | |
H–C–C–C–S–H
| | |
H H H
Propanethiol

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Chemistry Matters for GCE ‘O’ Level (2 Edition): Full Solutions to Textbook Questions Chapter 23

Chemistry Today (page 424)

(a) Leakages during transportation by tankers/pipelines; leakages when crude oil is extracted from oil
wells
(b) Some points for discussion:

Pros (Oil drilling should be banned):

• Petroleum can be conserved.
• Alternative cleaner sources of energy can be found.
• Problems related to oil spills will be resolved.
– Water and land pollution resulting from oil spills will be prevented.
– Money need not be spent cleaning up oil spills.
– Marine life will not be harmed from oil spills.

Cons (Oil drilling should not be banned):

• Oil companies will not make money. This will lead to a slowdown in economic growth.
• People may face shortages in fuel or energy. This may affect the quality of living adversely.

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