Question

Calculate the amount of CO2 (in kg) released when 1 kg of coal is burned. Assume that carbon content of the coal is 50% by mass.

Answer 1

Answer:

1.8321 kg

Explanation:

The given 1 kg of coal contains 50% of the carbon atom by mass. Thus, mass of carbon in coal is $\frac {50}{100}\times 1\ kg=0.5\ kg$

Also, 1 kg = 1000 g

So, mass of carbon = 500 g

The formula for the calculation of moles is shown below:

$moles = \frac{Mass\ taken}{Molar\ mass}$

Molar mass of carbon = 12.0107 g/mol

Moles of methanol = 500 g / 12.0107 g/mol = 41.6295 moles

Considering the reaction:

$C+O_2\rightarrow CO_2$

From the reaction,

1 mole of C react to form 1 mole of $CO_2$

So,

41.6295 moles of C react to form 41.6295 moles of $CO_2$

Moles of $CO_2$ = 41.6295 moles

Molar mass of $CO_2$ = 44.01 g/mol

So, Mass = Moles × Molar mass = 41.6295 moles × 44.01 g/mol = 1832.1143 g

Also, 1g = 0.001 kg

So, amount of $CO_2$ released = 1.8321 kg