Which gas indicates an increase in carbon dioxide when ethanol is burned?

When ethanol is burned, it undergoes a combustion reaction that primarily produces carbon dioxide and water. The complete combustion of ethanol can be summarized by the chemical equation:

[ C_2H_5OH + 3O_2 \rightarrow 2CO_2 + 3H_2O ]

In this reaction, ethanol (C2H5OH) reacts with oxygen (O2) to produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). Therefore, when analyzing the products of burning ethanol, the presence of carbon dioxide is the most direct indicator of the process, as it is a byproduct of burning organic compounds like ethanol.

Monitoring carbon dioxide levels can provide insights into the extent of the combustion and the efficiency of the reaction. Increased carbon dioxide production indicates not only that combustion is occurring but also that more fuel is being consumed, which is a critical aspect of understanding energy production and environmental impacts related to combustion reactions.