Write a balanced equation for the complete oxidation reaction that occurs when ethanol (C2H5OH) burns in air.
C2H5OH + 3O2 --> 2CO2 + 3H2O
C2H5OH---(O) ----CH3CHO+H2O
2c2h5oh+ 6o2 ----->4co2+6h2o
Sure, here's a balanced equation for you:
C2H5OH + 3O2 -> 2CO2 + 3H2O
Now let's hope the flames don't get too excited and start singing "We didn't start the fire!"
To write a balanced equation for the complete oxidation reaction of ethanol burning in air, we need to identify the reactants and products involved.
The reactants are ethanol (C2H5OH) and oxygen (O2) from the air. The combustion of ethanol results in the formation of carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) as products.
The chemical equation for the combustion of ethanol can be written as follows:
C2H5OH + O2 -> CO2 + H2O
Now, let's balance the equation to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides.
We start by balancing the carbon atoms. On the left side, there are two carbon atoms in ethanol and one carbon atom in carbon dioxide on the right side. To balance the carbon, we need to put a coefficient of 2 in front of CO2:
C2H5OH + O2 -> 2CO2 + H2O
Next, let's balance the hydrogen atoms. On the left side, there are six hydrogen atoms in ethanol, and on the right side, there are two hydrogen atoms in water. To balance the hydrogen, we need to put a coefficient of 3 in front of H2O:
C2H5OH + O2 -> 2CO2 + 3H2O
Finally, let's balance the oxygen atoms. On the left side, there is one oxygen atom in ethanol and two oxygen atoms in atmospheric oxygen (O2), making a total of three oxygen atoms on the left side. On the right side, there are four oxygen atoms in carbon dioxide (2CO2) and six oxygen atoms in water (3H2O), making a total of ten oxygen atoms on the right side. To balance the oxygen, we need to put a coefficient of 5/2 (or 2.5) in front of O2:
C2H5OH + (5/2)O2 -> 2CO2 + 3H2O
However, it is not common to have fractional coefficients in equations, so we can multiply the entire equation by 2 to eliminate the fraction:
2C2H5OH + 5O2 -> 4CO2 + 6H2O
Therefore, the balanced equation for the complete oxidation reaction of ethanol burning in air is:
2C2H5OH + 5O2 -> 4CO2 + 6H2O