In winemaking, the sugars in grapes undergo fermentation by yeast to yield CH3CH2OH and CO2. During cellular respiration, sugar and enthanol are "burned" to water vapor andCO2.
Write a combustion reaction for ethanol.
I need help with balancing the equation
i think it's
C2H6OH(l) + 3O2(g) ---> 2CO2(g) + 3H2O(g)
am I correct?..thanks!
Yes, your balanced equation for the combustion of ethanol is correct:
C2H6OH(l) + 3O2(g) ---> 2CO2(g) + 3H2O(g)
To balance this equation, you need to make sure that the number of each type of atom is the same on both sides of the equation.
In this reaction, there are 2 carbon atoms on the left side and 2 carbon atoms on the right side, so the carbon is already balanced.
Next, you have 6 hydrogen atoms on the left side and 6 hydrogen atoms on the right side, so the hydrogen is also balanced.
Finally, you have 1 oxygen atom in ethanol and 3 oxygen atoms in the oxygen gas on the left side, but you have 4 oxygen atoms in the carbon dioxide and 3 oxygen atoms in the water on the right side. To balance the oxygen, you need to multiply the oxygen gas by 3:
C2H6OH(l) + 3O2(g) ---> 2CO2(g) + 3H2O(g)
Now the equation is balanced with 2 carbon atoms, 6 hydrogen atoms, and 8 oxygen atoms on both sides.
Well done on balancing the equation!