PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF ETHANOL

The exorbitant price increase noticed in gasoline prices has compelled United States citizens to opt for alternative fuel sources such as ethanol. This is a decent way to save money, but also is an effective way of being independent. Leading our nation along the path of energy independence is, in itself, a great achievement. The manufacturing of ethanol requires the comprehension of the physical properties of ethanol. As these chemical structures exhibit their properties time and again, it is essential to understand the physical properties of ethanol. So, having a blue print of the physical properties of ethanol allows you to work error free while making this alternative fuel.

Ethanol is a multipurpose solvent and, therefore, can be added with water and various other organic solvents such as acetone, chloroform, glycerol, pyridine, diethyl ether, and many others. Ethanol is identical to other short chain alcohols in physical properties. It is flammable, possesses a strong odor, and is colorless and volatile. Ethanol’s properties are able to stand out, basically, due to the presence of the hydroxyl group; enabling it to take active participation in hydrogen bonding as it is thick and less explosive compared to other polar organic compounds that are identical in molecular weight.

The hydrogen bonding in ethanol allows it to absorb water from the air. Similarly, the hydroxyl group in ethanol allows it to liquefy ionic compounds; especially sodium, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, ammonium bromide, sodium bromide, potassium hydroxides and ammonium chloride. It also dissolves many essential oils and various coloring, flavoring and medicinal motivating agents.

There are observable facts that are associated with the combination of ethanol and water. Ethanol water fusion results in lesser volume than their individual elements. For instance equal volumes of water and ethanol will show only 95.6% of equal parts of water as well as the ethanol that remains. Subsequently, a very small percentage of ethanol in addition to water reduces the floating tension of water.

When the water proportion is greater than 50% of ethanol; it is flammable. However, if the water content is lesser than 50%; it is still flammable. This is when the solution gets vaporized due to heating. The molecular formula is C2H60. Some of the significant physical properties of ethanol are that it triggers a bitter taste of translucent colorless gas and is volatile as well as flammable. Secondly, ethanol dissolves in water, chloroform, ether and methanol. It can be used in paint, pharmaceuticals, detergents, dye and synthetic rubber. It can be extensively used in preparing sugar-type raw materials such as molasses and starch materials such as maize, sweet potatoes, etc. This can be done directly or indirectly.

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