Applied chemistry (LPG safety): Ethyl mercaptan is added to otherwise odourless LPG to impart a detectable smell. Identify the chemical family/element that characterizes ethyl mercaptan (ethyl thiol). Choose the correct element.
General Knowledge
General Science
Difficulty: Easy
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Answer
Correct Answer: Sulphur
Explanation
Given data
- LPG is naturally odourless; a smelly compound (ethyl mercaptan) is added for leak detection.
- Ask: The element/compound class that defines ethyl mercaptan.
Concept/Approach Ethyl mercaptan is ethyl thiol (C2H5SH). Thiols are sulfur-containing analogues of alcohols (–SH group instead of –OH), responsible for the strong characteristic odour.
Reasoning • The odorant used in LPG is a sulfur compound → answer is sulphur. • Halogens (Cl, F, Br) are not part of ethyl mercaptan's functional group.
Final Answer Sulphur