Ethanol has a molecular formula of C2H5OH. When ethanol
undergoes combustion the carbon atoms combine with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide or
CO2 and the hydrogen atoms combine with oxygen to produce water or
H2O.
C2H5OH (l) + 3 O2 (g) --> 2 CO2 (g) + 3 H2O
(g)
The combustion of ethanol is an exothermic reaction and
the energy produced during the combustion of 1 mole of ethanol is 1371
kJ.
The value of the heat released when one mole of ethanol
is burned has to be determined by an independent experiment where ethanol is burned and
the heat released is measured. It cannot be derived by adding the values of heat
released during the combustion of individual carbon atoms and individual hydrogen atoms
as the formation of ethanol itself releases some heat.
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