Answer to Question #159852 in General Chemistry for Maria

Question

Find the Enthalpies of Combustion of gasoline (C8H18), methane (CH4), methnol (CH3OH), ethanol (C2H5OH), propane (C3H8) and kerosene (C15H32). Then determine the Energy-to-Pollution Ratios (EPRs) of each fuel and compare them. Discuss which fuels are most rational to use...if we insist upon burnign hydrocarbons to obtain energy.

Answer 1

Enthalpies of Combustion

Gasoline-4730kJ/g

Methane-890.8kJ/g

Methanol-715.0kJ/mol

Ethanol-1366.8kJ/mol

Propane-2220.0kJ/mol

Kerosene-44480kJ/g

Energy-to-Pollution Ratios (EPRs)

Gasoline-14.7:1

Methane-17.19:1

Methanol-6.47:1

Ethanol-9:1

Propane-15.67:1

Kerosene-15.6:1

Methane has the highest energy-pollution ratio, followed by propane, then kerosene while methanol is having the least ratio.

Therefore, methane, propane, and kerosene are the best fuels.