ABSOLUTE ALCOHOL DEFINITION AND FORMULA - Absolute alcohol is a common name for the chemical compound ethanol. To qualify as "absolute," the ethyl alcohol must contain no more than one percent water. In other words, absolute alcohol is liquid alcohol that is at least 99 percent pure alcohol by weight. Ethanol is a colorless liquid with molecular formula C2H5OH. It is the alcohol found in alcoholic beverages. Also Known As: ethanol, ethyl alcohol, pure alcohol, grain alcohol. Absolute alcohol is a common name for the chemical compound ethanol. To qualify as "absolute," the ethyl alcohol must contain no more than one percent water. In other words, absolute alcohol is liquid alcohol that is at least 99 percent pure alcohol by weight. Ethanol is a colorless liquid with molecular formula C2H5OH. It is the alcohol found in alcoholic beverages. Also Known As: ethanol, ethyl alcohol, pure alcohol, grain alcohol

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Absolute Alcohol Definition and Formula

By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.

Absolute alcohol is a common name for the chemical compound ethanol.

To qualify as "absolute," the ethyl alcohol must contain no more than one percent water.

In other words, absolute alcohol is liquid alcohol that is at least 99 percent pure alcohol by weight.

Ethanol is a colorless liquid with molecular formula C₂H₅OH.

It is the alcohol found in alcoholic beverages.

Also Known As: ethanol, ethyl alcohol, pure alcohol, grain alcohol

Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.

Chemistry Expert

Education

Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville

B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College

Introduction

Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville - Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Science educator with experience teaching chemistry, biology, astronomy, and physics at the high school, college, and graduate levels.

ThoughtCo and About Education chemistry expert since 2001.

Widely-published graphic artist, responsible for printable periodic tables and other illustrations used in science.

Experience

Anne Helmenstine, Ph.D. has covered chemistry for ThoughtCo and About Education since 2001, and other sciences since 2013. She taught chemistry, biology, astronomy, and physics at the high school, college, and graduate levels. She has worked as a research scientist and also abstracting and indexing diverse scientific literature for the Department of Energy.

In addition to her work as a science writer, Dr. Helmenstine currently serves as a scientific consultant, specializing in problems requiring an interdisciplinary approach. Previously, she worked as a research scientist and college professor. 

Education

Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and a B.A. in physics and mathematics with a minor in chemistry from Hastings College. In her doctoral work, Dr. Helmenstine developed ultra-sensitive chemical detection and medical diagnostic tests.

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https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-absolute-alcohol-604996