Question

When a 50 mL sample of C2H5OH is mixed with a 50 mL sample of H2O, the resulting mixture has a volume of 95 mL, and the container is warm to the touch. Which of the following best describes these observations?
A chemical reaction occurs, as evidenced by the volume of the resultant mixture being less than the total volume of the initial components

A chemical change occurs, as evidenced by the formation of new covalent bonds releasing more energy than is absorbed by the breaking of the existing covalent bonds

A physical change occurs, and the solvation process is exothermic

A physical change occurs, and the solvation process is endothermic.

Answer 1

The reaction between ethanol C2H5OH and water H2O is a chemical reaction and is exothermic.

Option A is correct.

What is a chemical reaction?

A chemical reaction is a rearrangement between the ions and molecules of a substance. For a chemical reaction to take place, bonds are broken in the reactants and new bonds are formed in the products.

The chemical reaction between ethanol and water is;

$\mathbf{C_2H_5OH + H_2O \to C_2H_4 + 2H_2O}$

• This reaction is exothermic because molecules move from a higher state of energy to lower states.

• The resulting volume is also lesser than the initial volumes of the reactants according to Henry's Law, showing that heat is given off to the walls of the container.

Therefore, we can conclude that A chemical reaction occurs, as evidenced by the volume of the resultant mixture being less than the total volume of the initial components.

Learn more about the chemical reaction here:

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