Some of the mass of the CO2 comes from oxygen in the atmosphere as a result of the combustion process.
The gasoline contributes the carbon (C), but the oxygen (O) comes from the air.
Carbon has a molecular weight of 12. One oxygen atom is 16.
The weight of a CO2 molecule is: C + O + O = 12 + 16 + 16 = 44.
To find the total amount of CO2 released per unit of Carbon, divide the total weight of a CO2 molecule by the weight of a Carbon atom:4 4/12 = 3.667
That means for every pound of carbon burned, there will be 3.667 pounds of CO2 gas released.
About 16% of the weight of a gallon of gas is hydrogen.
A gallon of gas weighs 6.6 pounds, the hydrogen in it weighs 1.1 pounds, and the carbon will weigh about 5.5 pounds.
If all 5.5 pounds of carbon turns into CO2 during combustion, the weight of the CO2 will be 20 pounds.
The weight of the oxygen used up will be about 14.5 pounds (3.667 lbs of oxygen per pound of carbon TIMES 5.5 lbs of carbon).
Memorize this and impress your friends!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
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