Photo AI

Ethene gas can be prepared from ethanol in a school laboratory - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question 2 - 2012

Question icon

Question 2

Ethene-gas-can-be-prepared-from-ethanol-in-a-school-laboratory-Leaving Cert Chemistry-Question 2-2012.png

Ethene gas can be prepared from ethanol in a school laboratory. (a) Draw a labelled diagram showing the arrangement of apparatus and the reagents used in the prepar... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:Ethene gas can be prepared from ethanol in a school laboratory - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question 2 - 2012

Step 1

Draw a labelled diagram showing the arrangement of apparatus and the reagents used in the preparation and collection of the ethene.

96%

114 rated

Answer

To prepare ethene gas from ethanol, the apparatus should include:

  1. A suitable reaction container, such as a test tube, containing ethanol.
  2. Glass wool to hold the ethanol while it is heated.
  3. Aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃) as a catalyst.
  4. A heating device to heat the mixture.
  5. A delivery tube connecting the reaction container to a water trough for collection.
  6. Underneath the delivery tube, a container to collect the ethene gas, such as an inverted measuring cylinder or graduated cylinder submerged in water.

Step 2

At what stage in the procedure is a 'suck-back' most likely to occur?

99%

104 rated

Answer

A 'suck-back' is most likely to occur when the heating is stopped suddenly and the cold water from the test tube or delivery tube contracts, creating a vacuum that pulls the water back into the reaction vessel.

Step 3

Give one possible consequence of a 'suck-back' occurring.

96%

101 rated

Answer

One possible consequence of a 'suck-back' is that cold water could enter the test tube, potentially causing it to crack or explode due to sudden changes in pressure.

Step 4

How could a 'suck-back' be avoided?

98%

120 rated

Answer

To avoid a 'suck-back', a safety device such as a one-way tap (or a suitable stopper) should be fitted to the delivery tube to prevent backflow of the water. Additionally, maintaining constant heating and ensuring the test tube is not removed from the water can help mitigate this risk.

Step 5

Describe how you could test the gas produced for unsaturation.

97%

117 rated

Answer

To test the gas produced for unsaturation, bubble the ethene gas through a solution of bromine water. The solution will change color from reddish-brown to colorless if unsaturation is present, indicating the ethene has reacted with the bromine.

Step 6

Write a balanced equation for the preparation of ethene from ethanol.

97%

121 rated

Answer

The balanced chemical equation for the preparation of ethene (C₂H₄) from ethanol (C₂H₅OH) is:

ightarrow C_2H_4 + H_2O$$

Step 7

Assuming this percentage yield, what is the maximum number of 75 cm³ test tubes of ethene gas that could be collected?

96%

114 rated

Answer

First, calculate the moles of ethanol used:

  • Volume of ethanol = 2.4 cm³ (which equals 0.0024 L)
  • Density = 0.8 g cm³ ➔ Mass = Volume × Density = 2.4 × 0.8 = 1.92 g
  • Molar mass of ethanol (C₂H₅OH) = 46.08 g/mol
  • Moles of ethanol = Mass / Molar mass = 1.92 g / 46.08 g/mol = 0.0417 mol

Given the reaction shows a 1:1 ratio;

  • Moles of ethene produced = 0.0417 mol × 0.60 (yield) = 0.02502 mol

Using ideal gas equation (at RTP, 1 mol ≈ 24 dm³):

  • Volume of ethene at RTP = 0.02502 mol × 24 dm³/mol = 0.60048 dm³ = 600.48 cm³

Calculate the maximum number of test tubes:

  • Volume of one test tube = 75 cm³.
  • Maximum number of test tubes = Total volume of ethene / Volume of one test tube = 600.48 cm³ / 75 cm³ = 8.01.

Thus, you can collect a maximum of 8 test tubes of ethene gas at room temperature and pressure.

Join the Leaving Cert students using SimpleStudy...

97% of Students

Report Improved Results

98% of Students

Recommend to friends

100,000+

Students Supported

1 Million+

Questions answered

Other Leaving Cert Chemistry topics to explore

;