Staying Warm in the Winter
Activity 2 :Key

Home Heating Oil *

Two molecular segments (-CH2-) of heating oil (primarily light paraffins) 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


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The chart uses a specific gravity for heating oil of approximately 0.9
  1. Using the graph provided, determine the mass of carbon dioxide formed when you use

    1. 20L of heating oil.
      Answer: Approximately 25 kg of CO2

    2. 40L of heating oil.
      Answer: Approximately 50 kg of CO2

    3. 150L of heating oil.
      Answer: Approximately 170 kg of CO2

  2. A typical home might use 800L of heating oil for heating and hot water in a month. What mass of CO2 is produced?
    Answer: Approximately 1000 kg of CO2

  3. Acquire a heating oil bill. Examine the bill and determine the amount of oil purchased. How much CO2 is produced by the amount of fuel indicated on the bill?
    *Answer: variable, depending upon seasonal use.
*Note: Not everyone is willing to share their fuel information. It may be prudent to have a couple of "anonymous" billing samples available for student use.

* Footnote: Fossil fuels are a complex blend of hundreds of kinds of hydrocarbon molecules. The molecules and molecular segments which are used in these examples are the most abundant in the fuel being described, and as such, represent a good approximation of the entire combustion process.

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