D.A.V.

PUBLIC SCHOOL
No.19, Sitaram Nagar, Velachery, Chennai – 42
Plot No. 131, 132, 130 & 135, Bhuvaneswari Nagar, 2nd Main Road, Velachery, Chennai – 42
Class- X
Assignment 2 – Carbon and its compounds

1. An organic compound ‘A’ has the molecular formula C2H6O and is a common solvent and the active
ingredient in alcoholic beverages. When ‘A’ is warmed with alkaline potassium permanganate solution, it
gets converted to an organic acid ‘B’. When ‘A’ and ‘B’ are heated together in the presence of a few drops of
concentrated sulphuric acid, a new compound ‘C’ with a fruity smell is formed.
(a) Identify the compounds ‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C’.
(b) Write the balanced chemical equation for the conversion of ‘A’ to ‘B’.
(c) What is the general name for the process of formation of ‘C’?
(d) Draw the electron dot structure for compound ‘A’.
(e) What is the role of concentrated sulphuric acid in the formation of ‘C’?
2. Carbon is an element that forms the basis for all life. It belongs to Group 14 of the periodic table and
exhibits unique properties.
(a) What is the valency of Carbon? Name the property of carbon which allows it to form long chains with
itself.
(b) Carbon exists in various forms with different physical properties but identical chemical properties.
What are these different forms called? Name one hard and one soft crystalline form.
(c) Draw the structure of the hard crystalline form you named in part (b).
(d) What type of bonds are present in compounds of carbon? Give a reason why these compounds are
generally poor conductors of electricity.
(e) Write the name and draw the electron dot structure of the simplest compound formed between carbon
and hydrogen.
3. The molecular formula of a saturated hydrocarbon is C4 H10.
(a) Draw the structural formula of its straight-chain isomer and provide its IUPAC name.
(b) Draw the structural formula of its branched-chain isomer and provide its IUPAC name.
(c) What is the relationship between these two compounds called? Define this phenomenon.
(d) The boiling point of the straight-chain isomer is higher than that of the branched-chain isomer. Give
reason.
(e) Write the balanced chemical equation for the complete combustion of this hydrocarbon.
4. Four organic compounds are given below:
(i) CH3 CH2 CHO (ii) CH3 CO CH3 iii) CH3 COOH iv) CH3 CH2 OH
(a) Identify and name the functional group present in compounds (iii) and (iv).
(b) Give the IUPAC names for compounds (i) and (ii).
(c) Which two compounds from the list are isomers of each other? Justify your answer.
(d) Which compound is commonly used as a solvent in nail polish removers?
 (e) Write the balanced chemical equation for the reaction that occurs when compound (iv) reacts with
compound (iii) in the presence of an acid catalyst.
5. Soaps are molecules that have two ends with different properties. This unique structure is key to their
cleansing action.
(a) What are the two distinct parts of a soap molecule called? Describe their affinity towards water.
(b) With the help of a labelled diagram, show the formation of a micelle when soap is dissolved in water.
(c) Explain how these micelles help in washing away oily dirt from clothes.
(d) Why are detergents considered more effective cleansing agents than soaps, especially in hard water?
6. Ethanol and Ethanoic acid are two commercially important organic compounds. While both are soluble in
water, their chemical properties differ significantly.
(a) Describe a chemical test involving a reaction with a metal carbonate to distinguish between ethanol and
ethanoic acid. State the expected observations.
(b) Write the balanced chemical equation for the reaction occurring in the test described in part (a).
(c) What is observed when a few drops of alkaline KMnO4 solution are added to warm ethanol in a test
tube? Name this type of reaction.
(d) What happens when ethanol is heated with excess concentrated sulphuric acid at 443 K? Name the major
product formed.
(e) What is the role of concentrated sulphuric acid in the reaction mentioned in part (d)?
7. Ethanol (C2 H5 OH) is a very useful industrial chemical.
(a) What is denatured alcohol, and what is its main purpose?
(b) Write the balanced chemical equation for the reaction between ethanol and sodium metal.
(c) Ethanol is sometimes used as an additive in petrol. What is this mixture of petrol and ethanol called?
(d) Describe the chemical principle behind the Breathalyzer test used by police to detect drunk driving,
which involves the conversion of ethanol to ethanoic acid.
(e) Draw the electron dot structure for the ethanol molecule.
8. Alkanes, Alkenes, and Alkynes are the three main classes of aliphatic hydrocarbons.
(a) What is meant by a homologous series? List any two characteristics of the members of such a series.
(b) Write the general formula for alkanes and alkynes.
(c) To which homologous series does the hydrocarbon with the formula C4 H8 belong?
Draw the structure of one of its isomers.
(d) Explain why alkanes generally burn with a clean flame while alkenes and alkynes burn
with a sooty flame.
9. Butene (C4 H8) is an alkene. It can exist in the form of several structural isomers.
(a) To which homologous series does butene belong? What is the general formula for this series?
(b) Draw the structures of three structural isomers of butene (C4 H8).
(c) Provide the IUPAC name for each of the three isomers you have drawn.
(d) How would you convert But-1-ene to Butane? Write the relevant chemical equation.
10. The chemical properties of ethanoic acid (CH3 COOH) are characteristic of carboxylic acids.
(a) Write the balanced chemical equation for the reaction of ethanoic acid with an alcohol like ethanol in the
presence of an acid catalyst. Name this reaction.
(b) Write the balanced chemical equation for the reaction of ethanoic acid with a base like sodium hydroxide.
Name this reaction.
(c) Write the balanced chemical equation for the reaction of ethanoic acid with a metal carbonate like sodium
carbonate.
(d) Draw the electron dot structure for the ethanoic acid molecule