Ethanol, an organic compound, has the following structural formula.
What is the chemical formula for ethanol?
A. $CH _6 O$
B. $C _2 H _5 O$
C. $C _2 H _5 O _2$
D. $C _2 H _6 O$
Answer (1)
Count the number of carbon atoms: 2.
Count the number of hydrogen atoms: 6.
Count the number of oxygen atoms: 1.
The chemical formula for ethanol is C 2 H 6 O .
Explanation
Analyze the Problem We need to determine the chemical formula of ethanol based on its structural formula. This involves counting the number of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms present in the molecule.
Count the Atoms By examining the structural formula of ethanol, we can count the atoms:
Carbon (C): There are two carbon atoms.
Hydrogen (H): There are six hydrogen atoms (5 bonded to carbons and 1 bonded to oxygen).
Oxygen (O): There is one oxygen atom.
Determine the Chemical Formula Therefore, the chemical formula for ethanol is C 2 H 6 O .
Select the Correct Option Comparing this result with the given options, we find that the correct answer is C 2 H 6 O .
Examples
Understanding chemical formulas like that of ethanol ( C 2 H 6 O ) is crucial in many real-world applications. For example, in the production of alcoholic beverages, knowing the precise formula helps control the fermentation process. In the pharmaceutical industry, ethanol is used as a solvent, and its chemical properties, dictated by its formula, affect how it interacts with other compounds. Moreover, in the development of biofuels, the energy content and combustion characteristics of ethanol, again linked to its formula, are vital considerations for efficient and sustainable energy production.
