Final answer:
Hard alcohol like vodka and rum typically contains around 40% ethanol by volume, meaning they have a high alcohol content compared to other types of alcoholic beverages. The rate at which alcohol is processed in the body plays a role in alcohol intoxication and blood alcohol concentration.
Step-by-step explanation:
Most hard alcohol, such as vodka and rum, typically contains a significant amount of alcohol. For instance, vodka is often sold as "80 proof", which equates to 40% ethanol by volume. This means that in every 100 mL of vodka, there will be 40 mL ethanol. Different drinks have varying levels of alcohol content, so while vodka and rum might have around 40% alcohol by volume, other spirits could vary significantly. Hence, when referencing hard alcohol, it is understood to generally have high alcohol content compared to beer or wine.
It's important to note that alcohol concentration can impact intoxication levels, and alcohol intoxication typically begins after consuming two or more drinks. Alcohol is broken down in the human body at a rate of about 3.3 mmol/L (15 mg/dL) per hour, which can impact an individual's blood alcohol concentration (BAC).