Problem: Carbon dioxide, which is recognized as the major contributor to global warming as a "greenhouse gas," is formed when fossil fuels are combusted, as in electrical power plants fueled by coal, oil, or natural gas. One potential way to reduce the amount of CO2 added to the atmosphere is to store it as a compressed gas in underground formations. Consider a 1000-megawatt coal-fired power plant that produces about 6×106 tons of CO2 per year.Assuming ideal gas behavior, 1.00 atm, and 37 oC, calculate the volume of CO2 produced by this power plant.
FREE Expert Solution
We are asked to find the volume of carbon dioxide gas (CO2) at the given conditions. Since mass, temperature, and pressure are given, we will use the ideal gas equation to calculate for the volume.
P = pressure, atm
V = volume, L
n = moles, mol
R = gas constant = 0.08206 (L·atm)/(mol·K)
T = temperature, K
In the ideal gas equation, moles are needed but the mass (in tons) of CO2 is given instead. We’ll calculate the moles of CO2 using its mass and molar mass.
Problem Details
Carbon dioxide, which is recognized as the major contributor to global warming as a "greenhouse gas," is formed when fossil fuels are combusted, as in electrical power plants fueled by coal, oil, or natural gas. One potential way to reduce the amount of CO2 added to the atmosphere is to store it as a compressed gas in underground formations. Consider a 1000-megawatt coal-fired power plant that produces about 6×106 tons of CO2 per year.
Assuming ideal gas behavior, 1.00 atm, and 37 oC, calculate the volume of CO2 produced by this power plant.
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What scientific concept do you need to know in order to solve this problem?
Our tutors have indicated that to solve this problem you will need to apply the The Ideal Gas Law concept. You can view video lessons to learn The Ideal Gas Law. Or if you need more The Ideal Gas Law practice, you can also practice The Ideal Gas Law practice problems.