To determine if the reaction is balanced, we should check that the number of atoms of each element on the reactant side is equal to the number of atoms on the product side.
The reaction given is:
\[
1 \text{ C}_2\text{H}_5\text{OH} + 2 \text{ O}_2 \rightarrow 2 \text{ CO}_2 + 3 \text{ H}_2\text{O}
\]
Let's count the atoms for each side:
Reactants:
- Carbons (C): 2 (from 1 C₂H₅OH)
- Hydrogens (H): 6 (5 from C₂H₅ + 1 from OH)
- Oxygens (O): 4 (2 from 2 O₂)
Products:
- Carbons (C): 2 (from 2 CO₂)
- Hydrogens (H): 6 (from 3 H₂O)
- Oxygens (O): 7 (4 from 2 CO₂ and 3 from 3 H₂O)
Now, let's summarize the counts:
- Reactants: 2 C, 6 H, 4 O
- Products: 2 C, 6 H, 7 O
Since the number of oxygen atoms is not equal (4 on the reactants side and 7 on the products side), the equation is not balanced.
Thus, the correct answer is:
False