Question

In making wine, glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) is fermented to produce ethanol (C₂H₅OH) and carbon dioxide. What is the balanced chemical equation for this fermentation process?

a) C₆H₁₂O₆ → 2C₂H₅OH + 2CO₂
b) C₂H₅OH + CO₂ → C₆H₁₂O₆
c) 2C₆H₁₂O₆ → C₂H₅OH + 2CO₂
d) C₂H₅OH + 2CO₂ → C₆H₁₂O₆

Answer 1

The balanced chemical equation for the fermentation of glucose to produce ethanol and carbon dioxide is C6H12O6 (aq) → 2 C2H5OH(aq) + 2 CO2(g). Option (a) is the correct balanced equation for this fermentation process.

Step-by-step explanation:

The balanced chemical equation for the fermentation process of glucose (C6H12O6) to produce ethanol (C2H5OH) and carbon dioxide (CO2) is:

C6H12O6 (aq) → 2 C2H5OH(aq) + 2 CO2(g)

This reaction shows that one molecule of glucose is converted into two molecules of ethanol and two molecules of carbon dioxide during fermentation. The process is commonly used in the production of alcoholic beverages such as wine and beer. Answer (a) is the correct choice.

Related to the fermentation process:

If 200.0 g of glucose is fully converted, the total mass of ethanol and carbon dioxide produced will equal the mass of glucose, because mass is conserved in chemical reactions.

In an open container, the mass after fermentation will be less because the carbon dioxide gas can escape to the atmosphere.

If 97.7 g of carbon dioxide is produced, assuming complete fermentation, the mass of ethanol produced can be calculated based on the stoichiometric ratios from the balanced equation.