Question on alpha and beta carbons

[Dental2000]

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CH3-CH2-CO-CH2-COOH

If we want the alpha carbon would it be the C on CH2 or COOH?

Will the Beta carbon be C on the ketone group?

What if the CO was replaced with a H2 and COOH was replaced with CH2OH
What will the alpha carbon be?

And if anybody has a DAT destroyer(2010) look at Orgo # 34 and explain which is the beta group?

 

[herkulease]

regardless of the problem an alpha carbon is the 1st or the carbon that is next to a carbon that is bonded to some functional group. beta would be the following carbon.

In your example , the alpha carbon for the carboxy group is the C in CH2 between CO and COOH.

It also happens to be the alpha carbon in relationship to the CO.

the Beta carbon of the carboxy would be the C in the ketone group.

In your scenario

of CH3-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2OH

the alpha carbon would be the the C in CH2 the one that is bolded.

from this you can see what the answer choice was C. at least for which is the beta carbon for #34 I can't explain to you the heating part I never fully understood it.