Question

Calculate the amount of CO2 (in kg) released when 1 kg of coal is burned. Assume that carbon content of the coal is 50% by mass.

Answer 1

1.8321 kg

Step-by-step explanation:

The given 1 kg of coal contains 50% of the carbon atom by mass. Thus, mass of carbon in coal is
`\frac {50}{100}* 1\ kg=0.5\ kg`

Also, 1 kg = 1000 g

So, mass of carbon = 500 g

The formula for the calculation of moles is shown below:

`moles = (Mass\ taken)/(Molar\ mass)`

Molar mass of carbon = 12.0107 g/mol

Moles of methanol = 500 g / 12.0107 g/mol = 41.6295 moles

Considering the reaction:

`C+O_2\rightarrow CO_2`

From the reaction,

1 mole of C react to form 1 mole of
`CO_2`

So,

41.6295 moles of C react to form 41.6295 moles of
`CO_2`

Moles of
`CO_2` = 41.6295 moles

Molar mass of
`CO_2` = 44.01 g/mol

So, Mass = Moles × Molar mass = 41.6295 moles × 44.01 g/mol = 1832.1143 g

Also, 1g = 0.001 kg

So, amount of
`CO_2` released = 1.8321 kg