The citizens of the world burn the fossil fuel equivalent of 7×10^12 kg of petro

Question

The citizens of the world burn the fossil fuel equivalent of 7×10^12 kg of petroleum per year. Assume that all of this petroleum is in the form of octane (C8H18).

Part A

Calculate how much CO2 (in kg) is produced by world fossil fuel combustion per year. (Hint: Begin by writing a balanced equation for the combustion of octane.) Express your answer using one significant figure.

Part B

If the atmosphere currently contains approximately 2×10^17kg of CO2, how long will it take for the world's fossil fuel combustion to double the amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide? Express your answer using one significant figure.

Explanation / Answer

2 C8H18 (l) +25 O2 (g) -------------------> 16 CO2 (g)+ 18 H2O(g)

228 g 704g

228 octane -------------------> 704 g CO2

7 x 10^15 g octane ------------> 7 x 10^15 x 704 / 228 = 2.16 x 10^16 g

part A ) CO2 mass = 2 x 10^16 g

1 year ------------------------> 2 x 10^16

x year -----------------------> 2 x 10^20 g

x = 2 x 10^20 / 2 x 10^16

x = 10^4 = 10000 yrs

part B ) 1 x 10^4 years

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