To prepare ethene and examine its properties

Question 1

Identify the catalyst and describe its appearance.

Answer 1

Aluminium oxide. It is a white powder.

Question 2

State the two uses of aluminium oxide.

Answer 2

It is a catalyst and a dehydrating agent.

Question 3

Explain clearly why a risk of hot glassware shattering, due to rapid cooling is associated
with this preparation. How can this risk be minimised?

Answer 3

Suck back is possible. This can be minimised by removing the delivery tube apparatus before turning
Off the bunsen burner.

Question 4

Name two safety precautions when carrying out this experiment.

Answer 4

Remove delivery tube apparatus before turning off the bunsen burner to prevent suck back.
Wear goggles to avoid potential burns.

Question 5

State an observation made when ethene is burned in oxygen (combustion)

Answer 5

Not a very bright flame

Question 6

Describe how you could test for unsaturation in ethene.

Answer 6

Add acidified potassium permanganate. Purple to colourless indicates unsaturation.

Question 7

a balanced chemical equation for the formation of ethene using ethanol.

Answer 7

C2HsOH + aluminoim oxide ==> C2HA + H20

Question 8

Uses of ethene

Answer 8

To make ethanol/ make polyethene