Balance the following equations. (b) The spoilage of wine into vinegar: C₂H₆O + O₂ → C₂H₄O₂ + H₂O

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the reactants and products in the chemical equation: Ethanol (C_2H_6O) and oxygen (O_2) are the reactants, while acetic acid (C_2H_4O_2) and water (H_2O) are the products.
2. Write the unbalanced chemical equation: C_2H_6O + O_2 → C_2H_4O_2 + H_2O.
3. Count the number of each type of atom on both sides of the equation. Start with carbon (C), then hydrogen (H), and finally oxygen (O).
4. Balance the carbon atoms first. Ensure that the number of carbon atoms on the reactant side equals the number on the product side.
5. Balance the hydrogen atoms next, followed by the oxygen atoms. Adjust the coefficients of the compounds to achieve balance, ensuring the same number of each type of atom on both sides of the equation.

Key Concepts

Balancing Chemical Equations

Balancing chemical equations involves ensuring that the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of the equation. This is based on the law of conservation of mass, which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. To balance an equation, coefficients are adjusted in front of the chemical formulas to achieve equal atom counts.

Oxidation-Reduction Reactions

The spoilage of wine into vinegar is an example of an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction, where one substance is oxidized (loses electrons) and another is reduced (gains electrons). In this process, ethanol (C2H6O) is oxidized to acetic acid (C2H4O2), and oxygen (O2) acts as the oxidizing agent. Understanding redox reactions is crucial for predicting the behavior of reactants and products in chemical transformations.

Stoichiometry

Stoichiometry is the calculation of reactants and products in chemical reactions based on balanced equations. It allows chemists to determine the proportions of substances involved in a reaction, which is essential for predicting yields and understanding reaction dynamics. In the context of the given equation, stoichiometry helps in identifying the correct coefficients needed to balance the reactants and products.