Determine the volume of carbon dioxide generated during the combustion of 5 g of ethanol containing 10% impurities.

The ethanol combustion reaction is described by the following chemical equation:

C2H5OH + O2 = 2CO2 + 3H2O;

1 molecule of alcohol interacts with one molecule of oxygen. In this case, 2 molecules of carbon dioxide are synthesized.

The mass of pure ethanol is 5.0 x 0.9 = 4.5 grams.

Let’s calculate the chemical amount of a substance in 4.5 grams of ethanol.

Its molar mass is:

M C2H5OH = 12 x 2 + 6 + 16 = 46.0 grams / mol;

N C2H5OH = 4.5 / 46.0 = 0.0978 mol;

This will release 0.0978 x 2 = 0.1956 mol of carbon dioxide.

1 mole of ideal gas normally assumes a volume of 22.40 liters.

The amount of carbon dioxide will be:

V CO2 = 0.1956 x 22.40 = 4.381 liters;