Question

A coal-burning power plant generates 7.53 × 10¹⁶ J per year. If the coal yields 34.0 kJ/g, how many grams of coal were burned each year?

A) 2.21 × 10¹² g
B) 2.39 × 10¹² g
C) 2.78 × 10¹² g
D) 3.15 × 10¹² g

Answer 1

To find the mass of coal burned, the total energy produced by the power plant is divided by the energy yield per gram of coal, resulting in 2.21 × 10¹² grams of coal burned each year.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate how many grams of coal were burned by the coal-burning power plant, you need to divide the total energy produced by the power plant in a year (7.53 × 10¹ J) by the energy yield per gram of coal (34.0 kJ/g).

First, we convert 34.0 kJ/g to J/g:

• 34.0 kJ/g = 34,000 J/g

Next, we perform the division to find the mass of coal burned:

• Mass of coal = Total energy produced / Energy yield per gram
• Mass of coal = (7.53 × 10¹ J) / (34,000 J/g)
• Mass of coal = 2.21 × 10¹² g

Therefore, the correct answer is A) 2.21 × 10¹² g.