Ok so my teacher showed us that when we mix ethanol and water the solution takes

Question

Ok so my teacher showed us that when we mix ethanol and water the solution takes up less space than the parts, bubbles, and warms she asked why here is my answer

The hydrogen bonds that give water its structure gets disrupted by hydrogen-bonding to ethanol, which is stronger. Water arranges itself so that hydrogen atoms and oxygen atoms are close to each other, but that two hydrogen atoms and two oxygen atoms are as far as possible creating a structure which contains space. However, when hydrogen bonding with water and ethanol-water can be arranged with ethanol to produce a structure with less repulsion and less space. Ethanol also arranges itself so that there is space. But, when water and ethanol are mixed, ethanol too can hydrogen bond with water and take less space than ethanol atoms hydrogen bonding with itself, minimize repulsion more, and therefore, increase the electrons of the solution to have a greater attraction for its respective nuclei. The increased in attraction and a decrease in overall space produces a solution with an overall less volume. The displacement of volume then is excreted in air bubbles by the solution. Although hydrogen bonding is a physical attraction, not a chemical bond, it still lowers the overall energy of the formed molecule, which makes that change exothermic. This exothermic energy is released in the form of heat, warming the container.

Is that good enough?

Explanation / Answer

All reasons have been covered. Also we can add one point which the extent of hydrogen bonding between ethanol - water is more than ethanol - ethanol. This attracts the water and ethanol molecules to a greater extent decreasing the volume.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse O
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.