Gasoline (which can be considered to be octane, C₈H₁₈) burns in oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water. What volume (L) of carbon dioxide at STP is generated as a result of the combustion of 1.0 gal of gasoline
(The density of gasoline is 0.81 g/mL. 1 gal = 3.78 L)

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

First, convert 1.0 gal of gasoline to liters: 1.0 gal × 3.78 L/gal = 3.78 L. Then, convert liters to milliliters: 3.78 L × 1000 mL/L = 3780 mL. Calculate the mass of gasoline: 3780 mL × 0.81 g/mL = 3061.8 g. The molar mass of octane (C8H18) is 114.22 g/mol, so the moles of octane are 3061.8 g / 114.22 g/mol = 26.8 mol. The balanced combustion reaction is 2 C8H18 + 25 O2 → 16 CO2 + 18 H2O, so 2 moles of octane produce 16 moles of CO2. Therefore, 26.8 moles of octane produce 214.4 moles of CO2. At STP, 1 mole of gas occupies 22.4 L, so the volume of CO2 is 214.4 mol × 22.4 L/mol = 4800 L.

Gasoline (Which Can Be Considered to Be Octane, C8H18) Burns

Gasoline (Which Can Be Considered to Be Octane, C₈H₁₈) Burns