Ethanol is the alcohol found in brandy, that is sometimes burned over cherries to make the dessert cherries jubilee. Write a balanced equation for the complete oxidation reaction that occurs when ethanol (C2H5OH) burns in air. Use the smallest possible integer coefficients.

The balanced equation for the complete oxidation reaction of ethanol is

Explanation:

Combustion is the chemical process where an organic molecule reacts with oxygen gas present in the air to produce carbon dioxide and water molecules.

It is also known as an oxidation reaction because oxygen is getting added.

The chemical equation for the oxidation of ethanol follows:

By stoichiometry of the reaction:

1 mole of ethanol reacts with 3 moles of oxygen gas to produce 2 moles of carbon dioxide gas and 3 moles of water molecules.