The reaction involved in this problem is called the combustion reaction where a hydrocarbon reacts with oxygen to product carbon dioxide and water. The reaction of C2H5OH would be as follows:
C2H5OH + 3O2 = 2CO2 + 3H2O
To determine the number of molecules of CO2 that is formed, we need to determine the number of moles produced from the initial amount of C2H5OH and the relation from the reaction. Then we multiply avogadros number which is equal to 6.022x10^23 molecules per mole.
2.00 g C2H5OH ( 1 mol C2H5OH / 46.08 g C2H5OH ) ( 2 mol CO2 / 1 mol C2H5OH ) = 0.0868 mol CO2 0.0868 mol CO2 ( 6.022x10^23 molecules / mol ) = 5.23x10^22 molecules CO2
