# Carboxylic acids and alcohols are both homologous series found in organic chemistry. Describe two differences and one similarity between carboxylic acids and alcohols.

> AQA A-Level Chemistry (7405) — 3.3.8 Aldehydes and ketones (A-Level only) · Describe · 5 marks

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Difference 1: Carboxylic acids have the functional group –COOH whereas alcohols have the functional group –OH
2. Difference 2: The first member of carboxylic acids is methanoic acid whereas the first member of alcohols is methanol (accept any correct contrasting named members, e.g. ethanoic acid vs ethanol)
3. Similarity: Both carboxylic acids and alcohols belong to a homologous series / both have similar chemical properties within their series
4. Both carboxylic acids and alcohols contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms in their molecules

## Key terms

- [homologous series](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/homologous-series)
- [carboxylic acids](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/carboxylic-acids)
- [alcohols](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/alcohols)

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- [Revision notes for AQA A-Level Chemistry (7405)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/carboxylic-acids-and-alcohols-are-both-75b9bd74) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.