Balance C₂H₅OH + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O
C₂H₅OH(l) + 3 O₂(g) → 2 CO₂(g) + 3 H₂O(l)
Balance an equation
C₂H₅OH(l)+3O₂(g)→2CO₂(g)+3H₂O(l)
Balanced
Atoms on each side
| Atom | As writtenleft : right | Balancedleft : right |
|---|---|---|
| C | 2:1 | 2:2 |
| H | 6:2 | 6:6 |
| O | 3:3 | 7:7 |
Check atoms
How to balance it, step by step
- Count the atoms of each element on both sides, as written.
- Start with the biggest formula, C₂H₅OH: put 1 in front of it.
- C: 2 on the left. Put 2 in front of CO₂.
- H: 6 on the left. Put 3 in front of H₂O (3 × 2 = 6).
- O: 7 on the right, 1 already on the left. Put 3 in front of O₂ (3 × 2 = 6).
- Check: C 2 = 2, H 6 = 6, O 7 = 7. Balanced.
What happens
It is a combustion reaction: a substance burns in oxygen and gives out heat and light. Ethanol burns with a clean blue flame, giving carbon dioxide and water. This is why it can be used as a fuel.
Ethanol burning: quick answers
What is the balanced equation for ethanol burning?
C₂H₅OH(l) + 3 O₂(g) → 2 CO₂(g) + 3 H₂O(l). The coefficients are 1, 3, 2 and 3. Each side then has 2 C, 6 H and 7 O.
What type of reaction is ethanol burning?
It is a combustion reaction: a substance burns in oxygen and gives out heat and light. Ethanol burns with a clean blue flame, giving carbon dioxide and water. This is why it can be used as a fuel.
How do you balance C₂H₅OH + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O?
Start with the biggest formula, C₂H₅OH: put 1 in front of it. C: 2 on the left. Put 2 in front of CO₂. H: 6 on the left. Put 3 in front of H₂O (3 × 2 = 6). O: 7 on the right, 1 already on the left. Put 3 in front of O₂ (3 × 2 = 6). Never change a subscript, because that would change the substance.