answersLogoWhite

0

What s alcohol?

Updated: 10/6/2023
User Avatar

Wiki User

10y ago

Best Answer

In simple terms alcohol is the commonplace name of ethanol, an organic compound produced in nature by the anaerobic metabolism of sugars by yeasts (fermentation).

It is also the chemical term for a class of organic compounds whose principal functional group is the hydroxy or -OH radical. Ethanol is a member of this class of compounds and has the formula CH3CH2OH or C2H5OH.

Ethanol is completely miscible in water, as it shares the capacity to hydrogen bond courtesy of the -OH group. Think of water as H-OH and you see the similarity. Ethanol is more volatile than water, boiling at 79 Celsius and can be readily separated from a mixture of water and ethanol by distillation.

Alchohol is, ironically, derived from the Arabic for aqua vitae or water of life. Presumably so named because imbibing modest quantities creates a rather more animated human being than normal. Of course, imbibed to excess, alcohol also creates the opposite condition, namely death. It is a testament to the will power of our ancestors that they didn't name it aqua mortis.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

10y ago

Alcohol is defined as a colorless flammable liquid that is the intoxicating part of many beverages, such as wine, beer, liquor, etc. It is also used as a solvent and even a fuel.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

10y ago

the definition of alcohol

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What s alcohol?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

What increased in the 1920's when alcohol became illegal?

Sales of alcohol increased.


What has the author Gordon Wickham Monier-Williams written?

Gordon Wickham Monier-Williams has written: 'Power alcohol, its production and utilisation' -- subject(s): Alcohol as fuel, Alcohol 'Trace elements in food' -- subject(s): Analysis, Biochemistry, Food 'The determination of benzoic acid in foodstuffs' -- subject(s): Analysis, Benzoic acid, Food 'Power alcohol, its production and utilisation' -- subject(s): Accessible book, Alcohol 'Power alcohol'


What alcohol begins with an S?

shine


What has the author Edwin F Bowers written?

Edwin F. Bowers has written: 'Alcohol, its influence on mind and body' -- subject(s): Alcohol, Physiological effect, Alcohol Drinking, Pharmacology, Ethanol, Popular Works, Alcoholism 'Bathing for health' -- subject(s): Hydrotherapy, Baths 'One glass of beer' -- subject(s): Alcohol, Physiological effect 'Alcohol'


What alcohol names that begin with an s?

Smirnoff


Alcohol that begins with s?

sex on the beach (?)


What alcohol starts with S?

none


What alcohol starts with the letter s?

Sambucca


What is a name of a solid alcohol that begins with 's'?

sterol


What would be a good alcohol title for a project?

Your name with an 's Alcohol project and the year! For example Sarah's alcohol project 2011! hope its a good idea


What has the author James Miller written?

James Miller has written: 'The forlorn hope' -- subject(s): Lord's Supper, Wine 'Alcohol' 'Alcohol, its place and power' -- subject(s): Physiological effect, Alcohol 'The practice of surgery' -- subject(s): Surgery 'The decree and commission of the Almighty appointing Jeremiah and his representatives the ministers of religion to intoxicate the nations' -- subject(s): Alcohol, Biblical teaching, Lord's Supper, Religious aspects, Religious aspects of Alcohol, Temperance, Wine 'The forlorn hope' -- subject(s): Lord's Supper, Eucharistie, Vin, Wine


Alcohol names that stars with the letter s?

sangria, sauvignot