We Love to Travel:
Energy for Gasoline-powered Cars - Activity

Two molecular segments of a long chain hydrocarbon molecule, having (-CH2-) as a primary component, plus three molecules of oxygen will burn to produce two molecules of water, two molecules of carbon dioxide, and heat.


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Molecular equation

Word Equation

Mass equation

Carbon Dioxide and Gasoline*


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  1. Using the graph provided, determine the amount of carbon dioxide produced when

    1. 50L of gasoline is burned.

    2. 80L of gasoline is burned.

    3. 150L of gasoline is used.

  2. A car uses 25L of gasoline on a 200km trip. How much carbon dioxide is created?

  3. A daily commuter uses 10L per day for 200 working days a year. How much CO2 is produced each year?

  4. An economy car uses 7L of gasoline per 100km. How much CO2 is produced driving 400km?

  5. Annual use of an economy car is 10 000km. If the fuel consumption averages 8L/100km, how much CO2 is produced in one year?

* Footnote: Fossil fuels are a complex blend of hundreds of kinds of hydrocarbon molecules. The molecule in this example is one of the most abundant in the fuel being described, and as such, represents a good approximation of the entire combustion process

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