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Science (086) — AI-generated practice question

AI-generated practice question — model-generated for extra practice, not a previous-year CBSE board question.

Q1. [2] medium initial-understanding
What is the role of concentrated sulphuric acid when ethanol is heated with it at a high temperature? Name the organic product formed and give the name of this type of reaction.
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-26 01:06 · grounding rag
Model Answer

Concentrated sulphuric acid acts as a dehydrating agent. It removes water from ethanol when heated at 443 K.

$$\text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{OH} \xrightarrow{\text{Hot Conc. H}_2\text{SO}_4} \text{CH}_2=\text{CH}_2 + \text{H}_2\text{O}$$

The organic product formed is ethene (an unsaturated hydrocarbon). This type of reaction is called dehydration.

Source: Properties of Ethanol, Chapter 4, Section 4.4.1

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Explanation

Examiners expect three things here: (1) the role of H₂SO₄ — dehydrating agent, (2) the product — ethene, and (3) the name of the reaction type — dehydration. Writing the equation earns full credit and shows understanding. Note the condition: excess concentrated H₂SO₄ at 443 K (high temperature). Do not confuse this with esterification, where H₂SO₄ acts as a catalyst at lower temperature.

Previous-year CBSE Grade 10 board exam questions, organised by subject and chapter, each with a model answer — free to read and print.