Final answer:
The chemical test used in Ohio for determining alcohol influence while driving is the Breathalyzer test, which relies on the oxidation of ethanol to measure BAC.
Step-by-step explanation:
The chemical test used by the state of Ohio to determine if a person is operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol is the Breathalyzer test. This test measures the ethanol concentration in a person's breath. When a measured volume of a suspect's breath is bubbled through a solution containing potassium dichromate in dilute sulfuric acid, the ethanol reacts and changes the color of the solution from yellow-orange to green.
The intensity of the green color is proportional to the amount of ethanol present, which corresponds to the blood alcohol concentration (BAC). This chemical reaction is an example of the oxidation of alcohol, where dichromate ions (Cr₂O₇²-) are reduced while oxidizing ethanol to acetic acid, and the change in coloration serves as an indicator of the ethanol level.