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Why is ethyl alcohol flammable?

Answer 1

Elias Aguila

Because it is unstable with respect to oxidation....

The reaction is driven thermodynamically by the creation of stable carbon dioxide and stable water.

#H_3stackrel(""^(-)III)C-stackrel(""^(-)I)CH_2OH(l) +3O_2(g)rarr2stackrel(""^+IV)CO_2(g) + 3H_2O(l)#

#DeltaH_"combustion of ethyl alcohol"^@=-1371*kJ*mol^-1#

However, ethane burns in accordance with....

#H_3stackrel(""^(-)III)C-CH_3 +7/2O_2 rarr 2CO_2(g) + 3H_2O#

#DeltaH_"combustion of ethane"^@=-1560*kJ*mol^-1#..because we can make more #C=O# bonds here from the parent ethane, the reaction is a little more energetic....

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Answer 2

Ruby Allen

Ethyl alcohol is flammable because it is a volatile substance that can easily vaporize into the air. When ethyl alcohol vapor mixes with oxygen in the air and is exposed to a source of ignition, such as a spark or flame, it can undergo combustion, producing heat, light, and carbon dioxide.

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.