Answer:
We need 9.95 mL of ethanol
Explanation:
Step 1: Data given
Density ethanol = 0.789 g/mL
Mass CO2 produced = 15.0 grams
Step 2: The balanced equation
C2H5OH(l) + 3 O2(g) → 2 CO2(g) + 3 H2O(l)
Step 3: Calculate moles CO2
Moles CO2 = mass CO2 / molar mass CO2
Moles CO2 = 15.0 grams / 44.01 g/mol
Moles CO2 = 0.341 moles
Step 4: Calculate moles ethanol
For 1 mol ethanol, 3 moles we need O2 to produce 2 moles CO2 and 3 moles H2O
For 0.341 moles CO2 we need 0.341 /2 = 0.1705 moles ethanol
Step 5: Calculate mass ethanol
Mass ethanol = moles ethanol * molar mass ethanol
Mass ethanol = 0.1705 moles * 46.07 g/mol
Mass ethanol = 7.85 grams
Step 6: Calculate volume ethanol
Volume ethanol = mass / density
Volume = 7.85 grams / 0.789 g/mL
Volume= 9.95 mL
We need 9.95 mL of ethanol