Question
Below is a skeleton equation representing the combustion of ethanol in pure oxygen. C_(2)H_(6)O+O_(2)arrow H_(2)O+CO_(2) Which of the following is the balanced equation for the combustion of ethanol (C_(2)H_(6)O) in pure oxygen? a 2C_(2)H_(6)O+6O_(2)arrow 7H_(2)O+4CO_(2) b 4C_(2)H_(6)O+6O_(2)arrow 4H_(2)O+3CO_(2) C_(2)H_(6)O+O_(2)arrow H_(2)O+CO_(2) d C_(2)H_(6)O+3O_(2)arrow 3H_(2)O+2CO_(2)
Answer
4.2
(244 Votes)
Vernon
Expert · Tutor for 3 years
Answer
The correct answer is d.
Explanation
## Step 1The problem involves balancing a chemical equation. The principle of conservation of matter states that the number of atoms of each element on the product side must equal the number of atoms on the reactant side.## Step 2The given equation has ethanol (C2H6O) and pure oxygen (O2) as reactants, and water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) as products.## Step 3In the given equation, ethanol has 2 carbon atoms, 6 hydrogen atoms, and 1 oxygen atom. The oxygen molecule has 2 atoms of oxygen.## Step 4For water (H2O), there are 2 hydrogen atoms and 1 oxygen atom. For carbon dioxide (CO2), there is 1 carbon atom and 2 oxygen atoms. Therefore, the other side of the equation must have the same quantities.## Step 5After examining the options:- a. The ratios are not balanced.- b. The ratios are not balanced.- c. The chemical components are accounted for, but the ratio of atoms is not proportionate.- d. The proportions look proportionate.## Step 6Balancing the given chemical equation considering all the elements, the balanced equation will have 1 molecule of ethanol, combining with 3 molecules of oxygen to give 3 molecules of water and 2 molecules of carbon dioxide.## Step 7This satisfies the conditions:- 2 carbon atoms (left) = 2 carbon atoms (right)- 6 hydrogen atoms (left) = 6 hydrogen atoms (right)- (4 oxygen from 2CO2 + 3 from 3H2O) = ((1+3*2) = 7 oxygen atoms) = 7 oxygen atoms (2+2 +1*3) on the right.