Question

2. Paraffin and gasoline are both hydrocarbons, and therefore have the same general

chemical formula CnHn+2. As such, paraffin and gasoline are similar in that both do
not contain oxygen. Compare the use of gasoline (which would be similar to
paraffin) versus ethanol as a fuel, considering that gasoline is a hydrocarbon
whereas ethanol also contains oxygen. Compare the use of gasoline versus ethanol
as a fuel, from the standpoint of efficiency, by comparing the amount of energy that
each contains on a per amount of fuel basis.

Answer 1

Paraffin combustion produces more energy per gram than ethanol fuel but paraffin fuel has a larger carbon footprint

Step-by-step explanation:

Paraffin is also known by the standard chemical name alkane with a chemical formula for a paraffin given as follows;

CₙH₂ₙ₊₂

While gasoline, also known as petrol, consists of light weight alkanes and alkenes

The heat of combustion of gasoline is about 47.3 kJ/g

The combustion of gasoline is incomplete as presented in the following equation

`C_x H_y+ O_2 +N_2 \rightarrow CO_2 + H_2O + CO + HC + NO_x`

Example of complete combustion of octane, however, is given as follows;

2C₈H₁₈ + 25O₂ → 16CO₂ + 18H₂O + Energy

The source of paraffin is from petroleum

Ethanol fuel can be produced by the fermentation of Sugar

The heat of combustion of ethanol = 1366.91 kJ/mol = 29.664 kJ/g.

2CH₃OH + 3O₂ → 2CO₂ + 4H₂O + Energy