Answer:
Ethanol, when completely oxidized, undergoes a series of chemical reactions that result in the formation of carbon dioxide and water. This process is known as complete combustion or oxidation.
The balanced chemical equation for the complete oxidation of ethanol is as follows:
C2H5OH + 3O2 → 2CO2 + 3H2O
Explanation:
- Ethanol (C2H5OH) is a type of alcohol commonly found in alcoholic beverages and industrial products.
- Complete oxidation refers to the reaction that occurs when a substance is burned in the presence of oxygen, resulting in the complete conversion of the substance into its oxidized form.
- In the case of ethanol, the carbon and hydrogen atoms present in the molecule combine with oxygen to form carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O).
- The balanced chemical equation shows that one molecule of ethanol reacts with three molecules of oxygen to produce two molecules of carbon dioxide and three molecules of water.
- This reaction is exothermic, meaning it releases heat energy.
In conclusion, the complete oxidation of ethanol leads to the formation of carbon dioxide and water. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.

The Complete Oxidation of Ethanol

When ethanol undergoes complete oxidation, it reacts with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water. This reaction can be represented by the following balanced chemical equation:

C2H5OH + 3O2 → 2CO2 + 3H2O

This means that for every molecule of ethanol (C2H5OH) reacted, it requires three molecules of oxygen (O2) to form two molecules of carbon dioxide (CO2) and three molecules of water (H2O).

Explanation

The complete oxidation of ethanol involves the breaking of chemical bonds and the formation of new bonds. Let's take a closer look at the process:

1. Ethanol (C2H5OH) is a molecule consisting of two carbon atoms, six hydrogen atoms, and one oxygen atom. In the presence of an oxidizing agent such as oxygen (O2), the ethanol molecule undergoes oxidation.

2. During the oxidation process, the carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds in ethanol are broken, and the carbon-oxygen (C-O) bond in ethanol is also broken. This results in the formation of carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O).

3. The carbon atoms from ethanol combine with the oxygen atoms from the oxidizing agent to form carbon dioxide (CO2). Each carbon atom forms a double bond with one oxygen atom, resulting in the release of energy.

4. The hydrogen atoms from ethanol combine with the remaining oxygen atoms from the oxidizing agent to form water (H2O). Each hydrogen atom forms a single bond with one oxygen atom, resulting in the release of energy.

5. Overall, the complete oxidation of ethanol results in the formation of carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) as the final products.

It is important to note that the complete oxidation of ethanol is an exothermic reaction, meaning it releases energy in the form of heat. This is why ethanol can be used as a fuel source, as it undergoes combustion to produce energy.

In conclusion, the correct answer is option B: CO2 and water.