Ethanol - Making Peace with Nature

Purpose of this experiment was to find out if ethanol could be produced at a low-cost, and provide an environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum-based fuels. The Laws of Thermodynamics have been used to:

Explore how interactions amongst different forms of energy implicitly occur in our environment.
Describe quantitatively, how energy changes form.
Address the environmentally friendly nature of ethanol as a fuel

In addition, ethanol was produced from different materials such as corn, fruits and yard waste under different temperatures. The process of fermentation was used to demonstrate anaerobic respiration or oxidation of molecules in the absence of oxygen to produce energy. Specific gravity of ethanol, produced from different materials (i.e. mashed fruit, corn and yard waste) was measured with a hydrometer. Density of ethanol produced was calculated. Experimental data and results support the hypothesis. Findings of this experiment are valuable as they show how the Laws of Thermodynamics and bounties of Nature are closely bonded. Data obtained clearly show the economic and environmental value of ethanol production for our planet. In essence, to fuel our future and journey on forever, we need to make Peace with Nature!