Staying Warm in the Winter
Activity 1

Natural Gas *

One molecule of methane plus two molecules of oxygen will burn to produce two molecules of water, one molecule of carbon dioxide, and heat.


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Molecular equation

Word Equation

Mass equation


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  1. Using the graph provided, determine the mass of carbon dioxide formed when you use

    1. 500 m3 of natural gas.

    2. 100 m3 of natural gas.

    3. 1500 m3 of natural gas.

  2. A typical home will use as much as 14 000 m3 of gas for heating and hot water per year. What mass of CO2 is produced?

  3. Acquire a gas bill. Examine the bill and determine the amount of gas used. How much CO2 is produced during the billing period?

* 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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