Alcohols
Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry (0620) · Unit 11: Organic chemistry · 11 flashcards
Alcohols is topic 11.4 in the Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry (0620) syllabus , positioned in Unit 11 — Organic chemistry , alongside Formulae, functional groups and nomenclature, Alkanes and Alkenes. In one line: Alkanes contain single covalent bonds between carbon and hydrogen atoms. These bonds result from the sharing of electron pairs between atoms.
This topic is examined in Paper 1 (multiple-choice) and Papers 3/4 (theory), plus Paper 5 or Paper 6 (practical / alternative to practical). Past papers from 2022 to 2025 show this topic across undefined questions worth 102 marks (around 1.6% of all Chemistry marks in those years).
The deck below contains 11 flashcards — 3 definitions, 2 key concepts and 6 identification cards — covering the precise wording mark schemes reward. Use the 3 definition cards to lock down command-word answers (define, state), then move on to the concept and application cards to handle explain, describe and compare questions.
What type of bonding is present in alkanes
Alkanes contain single covalent bonds between carbon and hydrogen atoms. These bonds result from the sharing of electron pairs between atoms.
What the Cambridge 0620 syllabus says
Official 2026-2028 specThese are the exact learning objectives Cambridge sets for this topic. Match the command word (Describe, Explain, State, etc.) in your answer to score full marks.
- State State that the bonding in alkanes is single covalent and that alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons
- Describe Describe the properties of alkanes as being generally unreactive, except in terms of combustion and substitution by chlorine
- State State that in a substitution reaction one atom or group of atoms is replaced by another atom or group of atoms Supplement
- Describe Describe the substitution reaction of alkanes with chlorine as a photochemical reaction, with ultraviolet light providing the activation energy, Ea, and draw the structural or displayed formulae of the products, limited to monosubstitution Supplement
What type of bonding is present in alkanes?
Alkanes contain single covalent bonds between carbon and hydrogen atoms. These bonds result from the sharing of electron pairs between atoms.
Are alkanes saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbons?
Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons. This means that each carbon atom in the molecule is bonded to the maximum possible number of hydrogen atoms, with no double or triple bonds present.
Describe the general reactivity of alkanes.
Alkanes are generally unreactive due to the strong C-C and C-H bonds and their non-polar nature. They primarily undergo combustion and substitution reactions.
Define a substitution reaction.
A substitution reaction is a chemical reaction in which one atom or group of atoms in a molecule is replaced by another atom or group of atoms.
Describe the conditions required for the substitution reaction of alkanes with chlorine.
The substitution reaction of alkanes with chlorine is a photochemical reaction that requires ultraviolet (UV) light. The UV light provides the activation energy (Ea) needed to initiate the reaction by breaking the Cl-Cl bond.
What is the name for propan-2-ol?
Propan-2-ol is also known as isopropyl alcohol. It is an isomer of propanol where the -OH group is attached to the second carbon atom.
What are possible products when C₁₀H₂₂ is cracked?
Cracking C₁₀H₂₂ can produce various combinations of smaller alkanes and alkenes. One possible outcome is: C₁₀H₂₂ → C₃H₈ + C₃H₆ + 2C₂H₄
What is formed when propanoic acid reacts with sodium hydroxide?
When propanoic acid (CH₃CH₂COOH) reacts with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), it forms sodium propanoate (CH₃CH₂COONa) and water (H₂O).
What is the catalyst used to dehydrate ethanol to ethene?
Concentrated sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) or aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃) are used as catalysts for the dehydration of ethanol to ethene at high temperatures.
What is formed when ethanol is completely combusted?
Complete combustion of ethanol (C₂H₅OH) produces carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O).
What are the products of fermentation of glucose using yeast?
The fermentation of glucose using yeast produces ethanol (C₂H₅OH) and carbon dioxide (CO₂). This process is used to make alcoholic beverages.
Key Questions: Alcohols
What type of bonding is present in alkanes?
Alkanes contain single covalent bonds between carbon and hydrogen atoms. These bonds result from the sharing of electron pairs between atoms.
Are alkanes saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbons?
Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons. This means that each carbon atom in the molecule is bonded to the maximum possible number of hydrogen atoms, with no double or triple bonds present.
Define a substitution reaction.
A substitution reaction is a chemical reaction in which one atom or group of atoms in a molecule is replaced by another atom or group of atoms.
Tips to avoid common mistakes in Alcohols
- ● Work through examples of IUPAC nomenclature for alkanes, alkenes, and alcohols, paying special attention to numbering carbons in the longest chain.
More topics in Unit 11 — Organic chemistry
Alcohols sits alongside these Chemistry decks in the same syllabus unit. Each uses the same spaced-repetition system, so progress in one informs the next.
Cambridge syllabus keywords to use in your answers
These are the official Cambridge 0620 terms tagged to this section. Mark schemes credit responses that use the exact term — weave them into your answers verbatim rather than paraphrasing.
Key terms covered in this Alcohols deck
Every term below is defined in the flashcards above. Use the list as a quick recall test before your exam — if you can't define one of these in your own words, flip back to that card.
Related Chemistry guides
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