Question 1: Briefly explain what alcohols are in organic chemistry, including their general molecular structure.

Answer: Alcohols are organic compounds containing one or more hydroxyl (-OH) groups attached to a carbon atom, with the general molecular formula CnH2n+1OH.

Question 2: Describe how alcohols can be produced from alkenes in a sports science context, such as in the synthesis of sports supplements.

Answer: Alcohols can be produced from alkenes via hydration reactions, where water is added across the double bond in the presence of an acid catalyst, often used in synthesising compounds for sports supplements.

Question 1: Define the term 'primary alcohol' and give an example relevant to sports science.

Answer: A primary alcohol has the hydroxyl group attached to a carbon atom connected to only one other carbon; for example, ethanol, which is used as a disinfectant in sports facilities.

Question 2: Explain the mechanism of the acid-catalysed hydration of an alkene to form an alcohol.

Answer: In acid-catalysed hydration, the alkene reacts with a proton from the acid, forming a carbocation intermediate. Water then attacks this carbocation, resulting in an alcohol after deprotonation. This process adds water across the double bond, producing an alcohol.

Question 1: Calculate the volume of ethanol (density 0.789 g/cm³) required to prepare 500 mL of a 10% v/v ethanol solution for a sports event. Show your working.

Answer: Volume of ethanol = 10% of 500 mL = 0.10 × 500 mL = 50 mL.

Question 1: Outline the safety precautions one should take when handling ethanol in a laboratory setting related to sports science experiments.

Answer: Wear protective gloves and goggles, work in a well-ventilated area, avoid inhaling vapours, and keep away from sources of ignition.

Question 2: Describe a simple experiment to test the solubility of ethanol in water at room temperature, including variables involved and safety precautions.

Answer: Add a fixed volume of ethanol to a fixed volume of water in a test tube and observe if it dissolves completely. Variables: amount of ethanol, temperature. Safety: handle ethanol with care, avoid spillage, work in a ventilated area.

Question 1: A sports drink manufacturer claims that their product contains a certain percentage of alcohol derived from fermentation. Describe how you could analytically determine the alcohol content in their product.

Answer: Use distillation to separate alcohol, then perform volumetric or spectroscopic analysis to determine the percentage of alcohol present.

Question 1: Describe the process of fermentation in producing ethanol for sports drinks, including the key reactants and conditions involved. (6 marks)

Answer: Fermentation involves the conversion of sugars, like glucose, into ethanol and carbon dioxide by yeast enzymes under anaerobic conditions. The process requires suitable pH, temperature (~30°C), and adequate sugar concentration to optimise ethanol yield.

Question 1: Explain how alcohol-based hand sanitizers are relevant in sports facilities to prevent disease transmission, and discuss the chemical properties that make alcohol effective.

Answer: Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are effective because alcohol denatures proteins and disrupts cell membranes of pathogens, providing quick and efficient disinfectant action in sports environments.