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  • Ethanol Combustion: Balancing the Chemical Equation (C2H5OH + O2)
    The equation you've provided represents the combustion of ethanol (C2H5OH) with oxygen (O2) to produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). Here's the balanced chemical equation and an explanation:

    Balanced Chemical Equation:

    C2H5OH + 3O2 → 2CO2 + 3H2O

    Explanation:

    * Reactants:

    * C2H5OH: Ethanol (a type of alcohol)

    * O2: Oxygen (a diatomic gas)

    * Products:

    * CO2: Carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas)

    * H2O: Water (a liquid)

    Balancing the Equation:

    Balancing chemical equations ensures that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation. To balance this equation:

    1. Carbon (C): There are 2 carbon atoms on the left side and 2 on the right.

    2. Hydrogen (H): There are 6 hydrogen atoms on the left and 6 on the right.

    3. Oxygen (O): There are 3 oxygen atoms on the left and 7 on the right.

    To balance the oxygen, we need to add a coefficient of 3 in front of O2 on the reactant side:

    C2H5OH + 3O2 → 2CO2 + 3H2O

    Now the equation is balanced, with equal numbers of each type of atom on both sides.

    Important Note: This reaction releases energy in the form of heat and light, which is why ethanol is used as a fuel.

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