What is the result of burning alcohols in air?

When alcohols are burned in air, they typically undergo complete combustion. This process involves the alcohol reacting with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water. The balanced chemical reaction generally demonstrates that when a hydrocarbon (like alcohol) is combusted completely, the primary products are carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas contributing to climate change, and water vapor.

The combustion of alcohols is similar to that of other fuels, where sufficient oxygen is available to allow for full oxidation. In contrast, incomplete combustion may occur if there is insufficient oxygen, leading to the formation of byproducts like carbon monoxide or soot, but this scenario is not the primary outcome when alcohols are burned under adequate conditions.

By understanding the typical reaction that occurs during the combustion of alcohols, one can see that carbon dioxide and water are produced as the result of complete combustion, making this the correct choice regarding the burning of alcohols in air.