Science (086) — AI-generated practice question

Functional Group: An atom or group of atoms (containing heteroatoms like O, N, Cl) present in a carbon compound that confers specific chemical properties to it is called a functional group. Examples: –OH (alcohol), –COOH (carboxylic acid), –CHO (aldehyde).

How it determines chemical properties: The functional group bestows characteristic properties to the carbon compound regardless of the length or nature of the carbon chain. For example, all alcohols show similar reactions due to the –OH group, and all carboxylic acids show acidic properties due to the –COOH group.

Source: Chapter 4, Section 4.2.3

---

• 1 mark for defining functional group (mention heteroatom + specific properties + example).
• 2 marks for explaining how it determines properties: key phrase is "regardless of the length and nature of the carbon chain" — examiners look for this. Give one or two examples of functional groups and their characteristic properties.
• Do not write lengthy descriptions of every functional group; two examples suffice.