# Ethanol is an alcohol that can be produced by fermentation. Describe what is meant by fermentation and explain why ethanol is considered a useful product of this process.

> WJEC A-Level Chemistry (Wales) — 2.7 Alcohols and carboxylic acids · Describe and Explain · 5 marks

> Ethanol can be made by fermenting sugar solutions using yeast. It is used as a fuel and as a solvent in many everyday products.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Fermentation is the breakdown of sugars by yeast
2. Fermentation produces ethanol and carbon dioxide
3. The process occurs without oxygen / is anaerobic
4. Ethanol is useful as a fuel (e.g. in cars / as a biofuel)
5. Ethanol is useful as a solvent (e.g. in perfumes / cleaning products / medicines)

## Key terms

- [fermentation](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/fermentation)
- [ethanol](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/ethanol)

## Related

- [Revision notes for WJEC A-Level Chemistry (Wales)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Describe and Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/ethanol-is-an-alcohol-that-can-802d6d2d) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.