Download Kayla Martin

Kayla Martin
March 14, 2012
Alcohol
Alcohol is any family of compounds containing the atomic group -OH. This group, which
determines the physical and chemical properties alcohols, attached to a chain of carbon
atoms that hold hydrogen atoms. The formulas found in CH3OH (methanol) C2h5OH
(ethanol), and CH3CH2CHOHCH3 (2 butanol). Alcoholic beverages such as beer and
wine, that have ethyl alcohol (ethanol) were made before history was recorded. Methanol,
the first member of the alcohol family has a boiling point of 149 F (65 C) while the
number of carbon atoms in an alcohol increases the boiling point rises. Ethanol boils at
173.1 F (78.4 C) and 1-propanol boils at 207 F (97.2 C). Chain branching lowers the
boiling point. Alcohol boils at higher temperatures than hydrocarbons even if the carbon
atoms are the same. Lower alcohols methanol ethanol 1- propanol 2- propanol and 2methyl 2-propanol mix with water in many proportions. The butanols are somewhat
soluble and the higher alcohols are progressively less sobule with more molecular weight.
The increase in the number of -OH groups present per molecule mostly tends to increase
solubility. Out of all the alcohols ethanol is the most intoxicating. Methanol is highly
toxic when taken in. Its vapor is also toxic and harmful quantizes can absorb through the
skin. Generally primary and secondary alcohols are oxidized to compounds that contain
unchanged number of carbon atoms. Primary alcohols from aldhydes. Secondary alcohols
form kentons. Aldehydes are easily oxidized more to carboxylic acids. The kentons are
harder oxidized to acids that have less carbon atoms. Tertiary alcohols resist oxidation
stronger. It takes powerful oxidizing agents for them to turn to carboxylic acids that have
less carbon atoms. Primary and secondary alcohols can be dehydrated catalytically to
produce aldehydes and ketons. The reaction is carried out at temperatures of around 572
F (300) under action of a copper nickel or silver catalyst. CH3CH2OH---------catalyst
CH3C=O+H2 sulfuric acid is an effective dehydrate agent for alcohol.
Alcohol is banned from you til the age of 21 but 80% of high school students tried
alcohol. Alcohol is created when grains, fruit, or vegetables are fermented. Fermentation
is something that uses yeast or bacteria to change sugars in the food to alcohol. This
process is used to make many necessary things. Everything from cheese to medications.
Alcohol is in many different ways and is used as cleaners, antiseptics, and sedatives.
When people drink alcohol it absorbs in their bloodstream. After that it affects the central
nervous system, this controls virtually all functions. Alcohol is a depressant this means it
slows down the functions of the central nervous system. Alcohol can block some of the
messages that go to the brain. This changes a person’s abilities, emotions, movement,
eyesight and hearing.
Alcohol can make a person feel more relaxed or less anxious. The more alcohol taken in
can cause the brain intoxication. People who have used too much alcohol may stagger,
lose coordination, and slur their words. They might be confused or disornitated.
Depending of the person alcohol can make them more social or very mean. Alcohol
affects how someone reacts, it actually slows them down, which is why they are told not
to drink and drive. People may try and say that they are fine but they aren’t.
When alcohol is taken in large amounts in a short time it can cause alcohol poisoning.
Alcohol poisoning is just what it says its when the body gets to much alcohol and is
poisoned by the alcohol. The first symptom of alcohol poisoning is violent vomiting.
Other symptoms are sleepiness, unconsciousness, hard time breathing, low blood sugar,
seizures, and death may occur.
Most reason that teens drink is: curiosity, to feel good, reduce stress, and relax, to fit in,
and to feel older. A lot of kids see messages showing awesome life with people drinking.
They may also see a parent or adult friends drinking at dinner or drinking for fun. This
makes teens think that it is harmless.
Teens that drink have more problems at school. Drinking can damage a student’s ability
to study well and get good grades. Drinking can also damage the sport performance.
People may think that they look cool drinking but they don’t because they can do stupid
things or embarrassing things. They might even pee on themselves. People have bad
breath and no one likes hangover.
Teens that drink are ore likely to be sexually active with no protection. This results in
pregnancies and diseases that can cause someone’s life. There are more injury risks while
drinking. Alcohol causes teen car crashes, homicide, and suicide. A lot of the drowning
cases come from people drinking.
Some alcohol facts are that the drinking of alcohol by students in the US middle and high
schools has dropped to the lowest in the 36 years that the federal government has survyed
this subject. Alcohol taken in has again been proven associated with less mortality to
patterns that have traumatic brain injury. There was a study ofo over 38,000 people with
serve traumatic brain injuries. Those who tested positive for blood alcohol were more
likely to survive than those that have no alcohol in their blood.
If you drink alcohol moderately you are probably safe. This might even have health
benefits, like lowering your chance of some heart problems. When they say moderate
drinking they mean one drink a day for women or anyone over 65. For men it is two
drinks a day if under 65.
Some people shouldn’t drink if you are an alcoholic, child, pregnant, if you are on any
medications or have medical problems. People should ask a doctor before drinking if they
have any questions.
If anyone drinks more than moderately there could be a problem. Binge drinking
(drinking 5/more in a short period of time) can hurt your health and not lessen your risk
for accident, injury, and assault. If you drink for years than you can cause liver disease,
heart problems, cancer, and pancreatitis. It may also cause more problems with family, co
workers, and friends.
The family (class) of substances called alcohols comprises hundreds of organic
compounds. Most common substance is ethyl alcohol ( alcoholic beverages). Other
known types are wood alcohol (isoproly) Alcohols are grouped by hydroxyl (OH) bonded
to carbon atoms.