Question

What is an ethanol solution containing $5\%$ water?
A) Perfumes
B) Varnish
C) Rectified spirit
D) Beer

Answer 1

Identify the composition of the compounds given in various options.
Rectified spirit is approximately $95\%$ pure ethanol. Perfumes contain ester. Varnish is a mixture of a drying oil, a resin and a thinner or solvent. Beer contains phenolic acids and water.

Complete step by step answer:
The ethanol solution containing $5\%$ water is called rectified spirit. It is antiseptic. It is applied on the skin so that germs are killed. However it is not consumed orally as it is a very powerful stimulant. Rectified spirit is also called spirit of wine, neutral spirit, rectified alcohol or ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin. During rectification of spirit, a highly concentrated ethanol solution is purified by repeated distillations.

Rectified spirit is approximately $95\%$ pure ethanol. It is an azeotrope (constant boiling mixture). It contains approximately $95.6\%$ ethanol by water.

Perfumes have fragrance due to the presence of esters.
Beer contains phenolic acids such as 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, vanillic acid, caffeic acid etc. However over $90\%$ of beer is water.

Hence, the correct option is C.

Note:
Alcohol is not the major component of beer. The major component of beer is water. Ethanol is not a constituent of perfume. Varnish is a mixture of a drying oil, a resin and a thinner or solvent.