Which of the following is a product of burning ethanol?

Review for the KAMSC Honors Biology Exam. Enhance your knowledge with multiple-choice questions, flashcards, and detailed explanations to master key concepts. Prepare confidently for your semester exam!

When ethanol (C2H5OH) is burned, it undergoes a combustion reaction, where it reacts with oxygen (from the air) to produce energy in the form of heat and light. One of the primary products of this reaction is carbon dioxide (CO2). The complete combustion of ethanol ideally produces carbon dioxide and water (H2O), represented by the equation:

C2H5OH + 3O2 → 2CO2 + 3H2O

This process is significant because carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, contributing to climate change when released into the atmosphere in large quantities. In practical applications, complete combustion is generally expected in an ideal scenario; however, in cases of incomplete combustion, other products, such as carbon monoxide, can also be produced.

In summary, the combustion of ethanol primarily yields carbon dioxide as a key product, which is why this choice is identified as correct.

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