Question

How many pounds of carbon dioxide are produced from burning one gallon of gasoline? Assume gasoline is 100% octane, and the density of octane is 0.78 g / ml. Show the balanced reaction with your calculations.

Answer 1

20.10 pounds of carbon dioxide are produced from burning one gallon of gasoline.

Step-by-step explanation:

Volume of the gasoline = V = 1 gal = 3785.41 mL

Density of the gasoline = d = 0.78 g/ml

Mass of gasoline = m = ?

`m=d* V=0.78 g/mL* 3785.41 mL=2952.62 g`

Moles of gasoline =
`(2952.62 g)/(114 g/mol)=25.90 mol`

`2C_8H_(18)+25O_2\rightarrow 16CO_2+18H_2O`

According to reaction, 2 moles of octane gives 16 moles of carbon dioxide gas.

Then 25.90 moles of octane will give:

`(16)/(2)* 25.90 mol=207.20 mol`

Mass of 207.20 moles of carbon dioxide gas:

= 207.20 mol × 44 g/mol = 9,116.86 g

1 pound = 453.592 grams

`9,116.86 g=(9,116.86)/(453.592) pounds=20.10 pounds`

20.10 pounds of carbon dioxide are produced from burning one gallon of gasoline.