Report: To better understand the science of chemistry and to assess the student’
ID: 929316 • Letter: R
Question
Report: To better understand the science of chemistry and to assess the student’s understanding of how chemistry affects our daily lives, each student will prepare a written report on the topic of ethanol as an alternative fuel. This report is worth 50 points. The report must discuss the chemistry involved in the use of ethanol as an alternative fuel and must include a comparison of the energy effectiveness of ethanol as a fuel as compared to gasoline as well as an evaluation of the polluting capacity for ethanol as compared to gasoline. All assertions must be supported by appropriate calculations. This report is not to be merely a compilation of tabulated data taken from references. The students will do their own calculations and show all work to receive credit for this assignment. Any source may be consulted for information. Sources of information must be fully documented.
Please prove each point by using calculations of molecular weight for proving both polluting capacity and effeciency!!!
Explanation / Answer
Ans: The chemical structure of gasoline is C5-C8. for example, consider the following example.
2C8H18 + 25O2 ----------------> 18H2O + 16CO2 + ENERGY
In the above one mole of octane undergoes oxidation produce 8 moles of carbondioxide
The chemical structure of ethanol is CH3CH2OH which undergoes oxidation as follows
CH3CH2OH + 3O2 -------------------> 2CO2 + 3H2O
One mole of ethanol produces 2 moles of CO2
The above clearly explains ethanol pollute less than gasoline and it is an alternative fuel.