Question

which of the following best states the difference between an alcohol and an ether?
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 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.

Explanation:

Alcohols have the general formula \(R - OH\) (where \(R\) is an alkyl group), meaning a carbon atom is single - bonded to a hydroxide group (\(OH^{-}\)). Ethers have the general formula \(R - O - R'\) (where \(R\) and \(R'\) are alkyl groups), so an oxygen atom is single - bonded to two carbon atoms.

Answer:

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.