1. Determine the Molecular Formula of Ethanol

Ethanol's molecular formula is C₂H₅OH.

2. Calculate the Molar Mass of Ethanol

* Carbon (C): 12.01 g/mol * 2 = 24.02 g/mol

* Hydrogen (H): 1.01 g/mol * 6 = 6.06 g/mol

* Oxygen (O): 16.00 g/mol * 1 = 16.00 g/mol

Total molar mass of ethanol = 24.02 + 6.06 + 16.00 = 46.08 g/mol

3. Calculate the Moles of Ethanol

* Moles = mass / molar mass

* Moles of ethanol = 1.271 g / 46.08 g/mol = 0.0276 mol

4. Calculate the Moles of Carbon

* There are 2 moles of carbon in every mole of ethanol.

* Moles of carbon = 0.0276 mol ethanol * 2 mol C/mol ethanol = 0.0552 mol C

Therefore, there are 0.0552 moles of carbon in 1.271 grams of ethanol.