Question

"Ethanol, C 2H 5OH, is made from fermenting grain and can be blended with gasoline to make "gasohol." If the combustion of "gasohol" produces carbon dioxide and water, what is the coefficient of oxygen in the balanced equation?

Answer 1

The coefficient of oxygen in the balanced equation is equal to 3.

Step-by-step explanation:

The combustion reaction of ethanol in the "gasohol" produces carbon dioxide and water as follows:

CH₃CH₂OH + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O (1)

To find the coefficient of oxygen in equation (1), we need to balance it. The balanced reaction is the next:

CH₃CH₂OH + 3O₂ → 2CO₂ + 3H₂O

In the balanced equation, we have the same number of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms in the products than in the reactants. Therefore, the coefficient of oxygen in the balanced equation is equal to 3.

I hope it helps you!