How Do Breathalyzers Work?

This week Reactions is checking out some breathalyzer science. What exactly is the chemistry behind how a little machine can tell how much alcohol you've had.

If you think you can beat a breathalyzer, think again; chemistry will land you in cuffs. In the American Chemical Society's (ACS') latest Reactions video, we examine how your breath can get you busted when you've had too much to drink.

Amazing Plan and Poofy Reel provided by Jamendo.

Video by Elaine Seward
Featuring Michael Rose
Series created by Adam Dylewski
Produced by the American Chemical Society

[Correction: The structure displayed at 1:39 is not ethanol, but acetyl chloride. Correct structures for ethanol can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol.... Reactions regrets the error.]