How is the chemical equation for ethanol combustion written?

The chemical equation for the combustion of ethanol is represented correctly by expressing the reactants (ethanol and oxygen) and the products (carbon dioxide and water) in a balanced format. The formula for ethanol is C2H5OH, and during combustion, it reacts with oxygen (O2) to produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O).

In option B, the equation is balanced, meaning that it accurately reflects the conservation of mass, where the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation. The coefficients indicate that one molecule of ethanol reacts with three molecules of oxygen to yield two molecules of carbon dioxide and three molecules of water. This reflects the stoichiometry of combustion reactions, which typically require oxygen in excess relative to the fuel to ensure complete combustion occurs.

The correct representation of combustion is crucial for understanding energy production, environmental impact, and practical applications in fields like chemistry and energy generation. In contrast, the other options either demonstrate unbalanced equations or incorrect reactants, failing to meet the requirements of the combustion process.