Question

(a) Write the chemical equation of the reaction which takes place during the burning of ethanol in air.
(b) Why is ethanol used as a fuel?
(c) State two used of ethanol (other than as a fuel).

Answer 1

(a) Ethanol, a highly inflammable liquid, burns readily in the air to release carbon dioxide and water vapour along with a lot of heat and light.

The chemical equation of the above reaction is:
C₂H₅OH + 3O₂ → 2CO₂ + 3H₂O + Heat + Light

(b) Ethanol, a highly inflammable liquid, readily burns in the air with a clear flame to give heat and light. Therefore, ethanol is used as a fuel.

(c) Uses of ethanol:
1. Ethanol is used in the manufacture of several products like dyes, perfumes and synthetic rubber.
2. Ethanol is used as a solvent in many organic compounds. Since it is a good solvent, it is also used in medicines like cough syrups and tincture iodine.