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    The presence of alcohol in the breath can be detected using a breathalyzer.

    Question
    HLPaper 3

    The presence of alcohol in the breath can be detected using a breathalyzer.

    1.

    Describe how a fuel cell breathalyser works.

    [3]
    Verified
    Solution

    Any three of:
    ethanol «in breath» is oxidized «to ethanoic acid» ✔✔✔
    electrons pass through external circuit/meter**✔✔✔**
    «to cathode where» O2 is reduced**✔✔✔**
    current is proportional to alcohol concentration**✔✔✔**

    **Note:**Accept equations for oxidation of ethanol or reduction of oxygen.

    2.

    Alcohol levels in the breath can also be determined using IR spectroscopy.

    Suggest, giving a reason, which bond’s absorbance is most useful for detecting ethanol in breath.

    Bond:

    Reason:

    [2]
    Verified
    Solution

    Bond:
    C–O
    OR
    C–H ✔✔✔

    Reason:
    cannot use O–H bonds as in water «found in breath»✔✔✔

    Note:Accept “C–O/C–H «bonds in molecules in breath» most likely to be in ethanol”.

    Do not apply ECF here.

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