Question

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which states the difference between an alcohol and an ether?
in an alcohol, a carbon atom is single bonded to a hydroxide group (oh⁻); in an ether, an oxygen atom is single bonded to two carbon atoms.
in an alcohol, a carbon atom is double bonded to an oxygen atom; in an ether, a carbon atom is triple bonded to another carbon atom.
in an ether, a carbon atom is double bonded to an oxygen atom; in an alcohol, a carbon atom is triple bonded to another carbon atom.
in an ether, a carbon atom is single bonded to a hydroxide group (oh⁻); in an alcohol, an oxygen atom is single bonded to two carbon atoms.

Explanation:

To determine the correct statement about the difference between an alcohol and an ether, we analyze the functional groups:

• Alcohol functional group: Contains a hydroxyl group ($\ce{-OH}$), where a carbon atom is single - bonded to the oxygen atom of the $\ce{-OH}$ group.
• Ether functional group: Has an oxygen atom that is single - bonded to two carbon atoms (the general formula is $\ce{R - O - R'}$, where $\ce{R}$ and $\ce{R'}$ are alkyl or aryl groups).

Now let's evaluate each option:

• Option 1: "In an alcohol, a carbon atom is single bonded to a hydroxide group ($\ce{OH^-}$); in an ether, an oxygen atom is single bonded to two carbon atoms." This is correct. The hydroxyl group in alcohol is $\ce{-OH}$ (not the hydroxide ion $\ce{OH^-}$, but the description of the bonding pattern for the oxygen in alcohol and ether matches the functional group definitions).
• Option 2: "In an alcohol, a carbon atom is double bonded to an oxygen atom; in an ether, a carbon atom is triple bonded to another carbon atom." This is incorrect. Alcohols have single - bonded $\ce{C - O}$ (in $\ce{-OH}$), and ethers do not involve triple - bonded carbon atoms.
• Option 3: "In an ether, a carbon atom is double bonded to an oxygen atom; in an alcohol, a carbon atom is triple bonded to another carbon atom." This is incorrect. Ethers have single - bonded $\ce{C - O - C}$, and alcohols do not have triple - bonded carbon atoms.
• Option 4: "In an ether, a carbon atom is single bonded to a hydroxide group ($\ce{OH^-}$); in an alcohol, an oxygen atom is single bonded to two carbon atoms." This is incorrect. It swaps the functional groups of alcohol and ether.

Answer:

The first option (the one stating "In an alcohol, a carbon atom is single bonded to a hydroxide group ($\ce{OH^-}$); in an ether, an oxygen atom is single bonded to two carbon atoms")