# Problem: A typical frostless refrigerator uses 655  kWh of energy per year in the form of electricity. Suppose that all of this electricity is generated at a power plant that burns coal containing 3.3% sulfur by mass and that all of the sulfur is emitted as SO2 when the coal is burned. If all of the SO2 goes on to react with rainwater to form H2SO4, what mass of H2SO4 is produced by the annual operation of the refrigerator? (Hint: Assume that the remaining percentage of the coal is carbon and begin by calculating ΔH˚rxn for the combustion of carbon.)

###### FREE Expert Solution

We are asked what mass of H2SO4 is produced by the annual operation of the refrigerator.

C(s) + O2(g) → CO2(g), ΔHrxn = –393.5 kJ/mol

SO+ H2O + 1/2O2 →  H2SO4

Molar mass H2SO4 = 98.09 g/mol

Molar mass S = 32.07 g/mol

Molar mass C = 12.01 g/mol

88% (475 ratings)
###### Problem Details

A typical frostless refrigerator uses 655  kWh of energy per year in the form of electricity. Suppose that all of this electricity is generated at a power plant that burns coal containing 3.3% sulfur by mass and that all of the sulfur is emitted as SO2 when the coal is burned. If all of the SO2 goes on to react with rainwater to form H2SO4, what mass of H2SO4 is produced by the annual operation of the refrigerator? (Hint: Assume that the remaining percentage of the coal is carbon and begin by calculating ΔH˚rxn for the combustion of carbon.)