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Energy for Gasoline-powered Cars - Activity :Key

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.
      Answer: approximately 55 kg of carbon dioxide.

    2. 80L of gasoline is burned.
      Answer: approximately 90 kg of carbon dioxide.

    3. 150L of gasoline is used.
      Answer: approximately 170 kg of carbon dioxide.

  2. A car uses 25L of gasoline on a 200km trip. How much carbon dioxide is created?
    Answer: approximately 30 kg of carbon dioxide.

  3. A daily commuter uses 10L per day for 200 working days a year. How much CO2 is produced each year?
    Answer: approximately 2250 kg of carbon dioxide.

  4. An economy car uses 7L of gasoline per 100km. How much CO2 is produced driving 400km?
    Answer: 28L of fuel generates approximately 35kg of carbon dioxide.

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?
Answer: Total fuel used is 800L, which yields approximately 1000 kg (1 metric tonne) of carbon dioxide.

* 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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