Final answer:
The enthalpy change for the combustion of ethanol is -510 kJ/mol.
Step-by-step explanation:
The enthalpy change for the combustion of ethanol can be calculated using the enthalpies of formation of the reactants and products. The balanced equation for the combustion of ethanol is C₂H₅OH(g) + 3O₂(g) → 2CO₂(g) + 3H₂O(g), and the given enthalpies of formation are: C₂H₅OH(I) = -278 kJ/mol, CO₂(g) = -394 kJ/mol, and H₂O(I) = -286 kJ/mol.
To calculate the enthalpy change, we can use the following equation:
ΔH = Σ(n * ΔHf(products)) - Σ(n * ΔHf(reactants))
ΔH = (2 * -394 kJ/mol + 3 * -286 kJ/mol) - (-278 kJ/mol)
ΔH = -788 kJ/mol - (-278 kJ/mol)
ΔH = -510 kJ/mol
Therefore, the ΔH value for the combustion of ethanol is -510 kJ/mol. Since the value is negative, we do not include the + sign in the answer.