Question

If a truck averages 12 miles to the gallon, how many pounds of carbon dioxide are emitted into the atmosphere when the truck travels 170 miles?

Answer 1

Answer: 278.30 pounds (if the gasoline does not contain ethanol)

317.12 pounds (if the gasoline does contain ethanol)

Explanation:

If the truck averages 12 miles per gallon, then in 170 miles it consumes:

170mi/12mi = 14.17 gallons.

We know that for one gallon consumed, the carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere is 19.64 pounds. (assuming it does not contain ethanol)

Then for 14.17 gallons consumed, we have a emission of:

14.17*19.64 pounds = 278.30 pounds

I the gasoline contains ethanlol, for a gallon the emiision is around 22.38 pounds.

In this case the total emission is:

14.17*22.38 pounds = 317.12 pounds