Ethanol is a clear, colorless, flammable liquid. Other names that ethanol can also be known as include ethyl alcohol, ethyl hydrate, ethyl hydroxide, fermentation alcohol, methylcarbinol, and grain alcohol. The condensed structural formula for ethanol is C2H5OH, and the expanded structural formula is shown in figure 1. This chemical compound belongs to the alcohol function group therefore characterized by the hydroxyl group –OH combined with a carbon atom. Some characteristics of ethanol include a melting point at -114.1°C, boiling point at 78.5°C and a flash point at 16.6°C. Since it has a low freezing point it is used in thermometer for temperatures below -40°C, and also in antifreeze. Ethanol is the product of fermentation of carbohydrates, in the absence of air. The carbohydrates include crops like corn, wheat, grain, and barley, which makes ethanol quite economic friendly. This chemical compound is used in many processes and is found in many everyday products.
Prior talking about the functions of ethanol and its many uses, the hazards of ethanol and safety concerns has to be known. Ethyl alcohol, like other chemical compounds, can cause damage to many of the body systems when not used properly. It can cause “painful sensitization to light” (Fisher Scientific, 2001) and cause corneal damage. Besides damage to the eyes, ethanol can cause cyanosis, which is when the skin turns a bluish color. One of the most important rules about using chemicals is to never eat or drink it. Ingesting ethanol can cause depression of the central nervous system, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. Large intake in ethanol can even lead to unconsciousness, coma, and even death. Not only does consuming ethanol damage the body seriously...
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University of Illinois Extension. (2014). Ethanol: What Is It? Retrieved from http://web.extension.illinois.edu/ethanol/default.cfm
University of Illnois Extension. (2014). Biofuels and the consumer what are biofuels? Retrieved from http://web.extension.illinois.edu/ethanol/consumer.cfm
University of Illnois Extension. (2014). Ethanol use in motor vehicles. Retrieved from http://web.extension.illinois.edu/ethanol/vehicles.cfm
U.S. National Library of Medicine, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, & National Institutes of Health. (2013). Skin discoloration - bluish. Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003215.htm
Tyner, Wallace. “The U.S. Ethanol and Biofuels Boom: Its Origins, Current Status, and Future Prospects.” BioScience. August 2008. Vol 58 (7):646
Biofuels, fuels that provide energy using relatively recent organic sources, have been around just as long as cars have. In fact, the first cars ran on peanut oil. Henry Ford, founder of a multimillion dollar American car company, planned to fuel his massively successful Model T’s with ethanol (National Geographic 2013.) However, this revolutionary idea was swept under the rug when the discovery of massive petroleum deposits kept gasoline and diesel cheap and affordable. As 2014 rolls around, consumers are starting see that the amount of petroleum in the Earth is shrinking and the same story goes for their wallets (Avro 2012.) Not only does burning gas and diesel empty out the wallet, it is also slowly covering the Earth with a warm carbon dioxide blanket that causes global warming. Transportation, which is the third largest emitter of greenhouse gasses (Biofuel Association of Australia 2013), is dependent on finite amounts of gas and diesel for its energy needs so it is very important we move towards a more renewable and sustainable fuel source. Biofuels, both ethanol and biodiesel, have the potential to fuel transportation efficiently and drastically reduce the carbon footprint, thus reducing the warm blanket of carbon dioxide on the Earth.
Implementation of a tax break such as this would require action taken by the general public who is already knowledgeable about ethanol. These people must take the time to call their state and nationally elected representatives and ask for such a bill that would include the two-cent tax incentive. People must also vote for ethanol supporters when election time rolls around. Since this is a political proposal, it must be carried out by elected officials and then be supported by the public.
Alcohol affects the body in many different ways. On the website drugfreeworld.org the author tells us about the bad long term and short term effects of alcohol on the body. One long term effect is that it makes the liver work to hard causing it to fail. When the liver fails to function properly the body takes in toxins that harm it. These toxins harm the body in many different ways. One short term effect is that it causes decreased perception and coordination. The decreased perception of things causes things to appear closer or farther away than they really are. The decreased coordination make the people very clumsy resulting in injury. Some other short effects of alcohol on the body are vomiting, slurred speech, and headaches. Some other long term effects of alcohol are alcohol poisoning, Ulcers, and sometimes cancer of the mouth and throat (“Short Term and Long Term Effects”, 2014).
Out of all the organic compounds, few spark as much attention as alcohol. Alcohol is complex and volatile, when referring to alcoholic beverages it is known as ethanol. Pure ethanol in its most basic state has the molecular formula C2H6O. Ethanol is a toxin to the human body and when concentrations peak to a dangerous level the body induces vomiting. Vomiting is a primary defense against many ingestible poisons. Ethanol is a clear and odorous liquid that affects living organisms by acting as a lipid solvent. If alcohol is consumed in a moderate fashion it can produce a euphoric feeling. Once the level of moderation is broken and access alcohol accumulates in the blood stream the euphoric feeling can dissipate and leave the drinker feeling poorly. One single standard drink is equal to 13.7 grams. Many standard drinks are mixed with sugars, flavoring, and further diluted with water. The national recommendation for alcoholic beverages is two or fewer drinks for an adult male or one or fewer drinks for an adult woman in a twenty four hour period. From a health standpoint drinking within the national recommendations can help reduce the harmful bacteria Helicobacter pylori that have been known to create stomach ulcers. Drinking in moderation has also been linked to reduced chance of stroke, type two diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and heart disease. A common position on alcohol is that it can increase the chances of cancers located in the throat, colon and rectum, prostate gland, stomach, esophagus, and many other anatomical locations.
Jackson, David. “Are biofuels actually good for the environment?” Biomass Authority. 2010. 21 May 2010. < http://biomassauthority.com/are-biofuels-actually-good-for-the-environment/>.
Alcohol is a colorless, volatile flammable liquid that is the intoxicating constituent of wine, beer, spirits, and other drinks and is also used as an industrial solvent and as fuel. Alcohol is a drug and it is classed as a depressant, meaning that it will slow down vital functions. Alcohol is made out of a chemical called ethanol. To make alcohol, they need to have the grains, fruits or vegetables go through a process called fermentation.
Alcohol: The drug name is ethyl alcohol, used in beer, to liquor and wine. This is only swallowed. It mainly causes mild stimulation, lowered inhibitions, drowsiness, emotional volatility, impaired memory, loss of consciousness, euphoria and etc.. This drug also leads to many other health risks. Example, liver and heart disease, depression, neurologic deficits and addiction.
Increased abuse of alcohol leads to physical damage to the body. Alcohol is absorbed directly into the brain, dulling one’s senses and weakling one's will power. According to the article from the Mayo Clinic Health Information, “Excessive use of alcohol can produce several harmful effects on your brain and nervous system. It also can severely damage your liver, pancreas and cardiovascular system. Alcohol use in pregnant women can damage the fetus” (Mayo 1). Continued ingestion of alcohol affects every organ in the body. Every organ in the body is affected. The liver has serious effects that may lead to cirrhosis and death.. At first the liver adapts and tolerates alcohol. It works harder and finally damages itself in time. Alcohol leads the liver to the inability to metabolize facts. Furthermore, it leads to increase in cholesterol and triglycerides leading to clogged arteries. Red blood cells are also affected leading the individual to become anemic.
Alcohol is historically one of the oldest known drugs to mankind. It is ingested orally and comes in many varieties. It is attractively packaged in alluring bottles and cans; which can seduce the unsuspecting individual and lead to a life of unrelenting misery, imbued with a potentially ruinous outcome. Taken in moderation; however, alcohol can also be used to prevent disease processes and promote health. This particular drug is both legal and is promoted widely throughout the planet. I chose this drug because I have personally been privy to all of its insidious effects.
Denatured alcohol is ethanol that has other ingredients added to make it unfit for drinking. Fuel grade ethanol may contain dangerous impurities and should never be consumed. Ethanol (C2H6O), the alcohol in alcohol beverages, sometimes just called “alcohol.” Isopropyl alcohol (C3H8O) is used as a solvent or fuel. It can be safely used in small quantities as a surface disinfectant. However, it is toxic to drink. Methanol (CH3OH), sometimes called “wood alcohol,” is highly toxic. It is used as a solvent, a fuel and to prevent water-based liquids from freezing. Ethanol produced for other non-beverage purposes may contain additives and should not be consumed. Alcohol is a very hard drug to live with. have you heard the expression drunk while driving well that’s what it is. They swerve and crash into stuff and sometimes your vision
Legally in the United States, alcohol is known as beverage that has a minimum age requirement of twenty-one years old. Many people use alcohol as a way to celebrate, socialize or to release stress. To the body, alcohol is classified as a depressant. This means that alcohol disrupts the way the body functions. Ethanol or Ethyl is the main ingredient found in several alcoholic beverages, including wine, beer, and vodka. Ethyl Alcohol is produced by the fermentation of grains and fruits. Ethyl Alcohol is what affects the body causing intoxication. High dose of alcohol can have a severe effect on an individual’s mental state. This can lead to problems concerning mental health, as well as physical health..
Effects of alcohol are many and are all bad. There is not one good effect of excessive alcohol drinking, except what an alcoholic considers a good feeling after getting drunk. The alcoholics drink for many reasons, but the results are all the same. Alcohol has very bad effects on all human body organs; it causes disease and some of those diseases are dangerous and even fatal, and the most common diseases re...
Ethanol is an alcohol produced by yeast from sugars. It is the same alcohol pro-duced by yeast in beer, wine, and spirits. Fuel ethanol is ethanol that has been highly concentrated to remove water and blended with other compounds to render the alcohol undrinkable. Fuel ethanol can be used alone as a fuel, such as in Indy Racing League cars, or can be blended with gasoline and used as fuel. All cars and trucks on the road today can use gasoline/ethanol blends of up to 9% ethanol (90% gasoline), also called “E9.” Blends of up to 85% ethanol, also known as “E85,” can be used as transportation fuel by cars and trucks with slight modifi-cations (approximately $90 per...
The process of alcoholic fermentation begins with the use of enzymes. The enzymes begin to break down the long chains in starch molecules, a polysaccharide that consists of a large quantity of glucose molecules (C6H12O6) joined by glycosidic bonds as seen in figure 1, into single glucose molecules, a monosaccharide with six carbons and five hydroxyl groups. After the starch has become sugar, the enzymes are used once again, this time to convert the sugars into ethyl alcohol and carbon dioxide, CO2, as seen in figure 2 (World of Scientific Discovery, 2007). The carbon dioxide produced is released into the atmosphere, leaving water and ethanol, the alcohol, behind. Ethanol is a colorless flammable liquid with a molecular formula of C2H6O, giving it a molar mass of 46.07 grams per mole. Ethanol is also characterized by a melting point of -114°C or 159 K.