Question

ethyl alcohol and methyl ether have the same molecular formula but entirely different properties. how could you show the difference between them? answer options: select one of four force them into benzene rings. show their different arrangements with structural formulas. count the number of oxygen atoms in each. check for double bonds between carbons.

Explanation:

Ethyl alcohol (ethanol, \(C_2H_5OH\)) and methyl ether (methoxymethane, \(CH_3OCH_3\)) are isomers (same molecular formula, different structures). To show their difference, structural formulas (which depict atom arrangements) are used. "Force them into benzene rings" is incorrect (they don’t have benzene - ring structures). They have the same number of oxygen atoms, so counting oxygen doesn’t help. Neither has double bonds between carbons, so checking for that is irrelevant.

Answer:

B. Show their different arrangements with structural formulas.