The second name of ethyl alcohol is __________?

Ethyl alcohol, commonly known as alcohol, is an organic compound widely used in industries, laboratories, and households. Its systematic or IUPAC name is ethanol, which is why it is also called the second name of ethyl alcohol. Chemically, ethanol is represented by the formula C₂H₅OH, consisting of two carbon atoms, six hydrogen atoms, and one hydroxyl (-OH) group attached to the ethyl group.

Ethanol is a simple alcohol and belongs to the class of organic compounds containing hydroxyl functional groups. It is a colorless, volatile liquid with a characteristic odor and is highly miscible with water. Ethanol is widely used as a solvent, fuel, disinfectant, and in beverages. It is also an important reagent in chemical synthesis, where it participates in esterification, oxidation, and other reactions.

The other options in the MCQ are incorrect:

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  Ethene (C₂H₄) is an alkene and does not contain the hydroxyl group, so it is chemically different from ethanol.

  
  


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  Propyl (C₃H₇) refers to a different alkyl group and is not an alcohol.

  
  


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  None is incorrect because the correct systematic name of ethyl alcohol is clearly ethanol.

  
  

Understanding that ethyl alcohol is ethanol helps students grasp the nomenclature rules in organic chemistry, which are based on the IUPAC system of naming compounds. It also strengthens knowledge of functional groups, molecular structures, and chemical properties, which are fundamental for studying reactions, industrial applications, and biological effects of alcohols.

By learning the correct names of organic compounds like ethanol, students can connect scientific theory with real-world applications, such as its use in hand sanitizers, beverages, medical disinfectants, and fuel industries, demonstrating the practical relevance of chemistry in everyday life.