Question

Absolute alcohol is:
A. 100% pure alcohol
B. 95% alcohol + 5% ${{H_2}O}$
C. Ethanol + water + phenol
D. 95% ethanol + 5% methanol

Answer 1

Alcohol is generally taken as ethanol. It is also called ethyl alcohol or grain alcohol. It is widely used as a solvent and medically as a disinfectant and antiseptic. Pure ethanol is flammable, colourless liquid with a boiling point of $78.5^\circ C$.

Complete answer:

Ethanol is a chemical compound of a simple alcohol with chemical formula $C{H_3}C{H_2}OH\left( {{C_2}{H_6}O} \right)$. Ethanol is a volatile, flammable, colourless liquid with a characteristic odour.
Absolute alcohol is a liquid alcohol that is at least 99% pure alcohol by weight. It is found in alcoholic beverages. Alcohol is commonly made by the fermentation of sugar by yeast or by petrochemical processes. This alcohol contains water and removal of water content by adding dry salt. Dry salt will dissolve some of the water content of the ethanol as it passes through, leaving a pure alcohol.
Absolute alcohol is used in a variety of applications, including medical, organic chemistry and biology. It is also used as an alternative fuel source to gasoline for combustion engines.
95% alcohol and 5% water is rectified alcohol. It is highly concentrated. An anhydrous ethanol solution can be denatured with 95% ethanol and 5% methanol but pure alcohol is non- denatured.

Hence, the correct option is (A).

Note: Ethanol contains less than one percent of water by weight. Its low melting point of $- 114.5^\circ C$ allows it to be used in antifreeze products. It has a pleasant odour. Its density is 789 g/l, about 20% less than that of water. It is easily soluble in water and is itself a good solvent, used in perfumes, paints and tinctures. Alcoholic drinks have a large variety of tastes, since various flavour compounds are dissolved during brewing.