Which one of the following can be used in place of petrol?
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Ethanol
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Butanol
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Propanol
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Methanol
Reveal answer
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A
Correct answer
Explanation
Over the last few years more and more alternatives for petrol have been sought. As oil reserves run out, petrol prices rise and the climate continues to change, people are increasingly looking towards ethanol fuel as a potential solution to all of these problems.
Ethanol is more commonly known as the alcohol found in alcoholic drinks. It is a colourless and flammable liquid (at room temperature and pressure); it is its flammable nature that makes it useful as a fuel.
The two main sources for ethanol fuel are either sugar beet which can by fermented directly, or from cereal grains. In the later case the starch must first be broken down into sugars, this is accomplished (for fuels) by treating it with dilute sulphuric acid.
Thus, the correct answer is option A.