[steveO]

Hello I am stuck with these 5 homework problem that I am unable to solve or set it up, can anyone help me how to get the answer to these?

1) Calculate the number of grams and pounds of CO2 that result from the combustion of 1 gallon of gasoline (we will assume that gasoline is mostly octane, C8H18). Gasoline has a density of about 0.7g/mL. Hint - Remember that combustion uses oxygen gas and heat to generate CO2 and water.

 

2) Why does the production of CO2 increase the CO2 concentration in water? Why is this concentration even higher nearer to the earth’s poles?

 

3) Given the chemical equilibrium is so low for the production of carbonic acid from dissolved carbon dioxide: CO2 (aq) + H2O (l) ⇆ H2CO3 (aq) keq=1.7x10-3 , why do we even consider production of carbonic acid an issue? Explain using terms we learned in class.

 

4) What does the term ocean acidification mean chemically speaking, why are species made of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) particularly at risk?

 

5) What are some short or long term options that could help solve this problem?

[Hunter2]

Show your attempt first and read Forum rules in red on top of the side. We don't solve the homework.
In your question it mentioned you learned something in class, did you?

For the first question develop the chemical equation.
Convert the US units in SI-units first.  Get the mass of your gallon Octane fuel and convert this to moles. This correspond then to the moles of CO₂. Backward you can convert to the mass off carbon dioxide.

[steveO]

1) Calculate the number of grams and pounds of CO2 that result from the combustion of

1 gallon of gasoline (we will assume that gasoline is mostly octane, C8H18). Gasoline

has a density of about 0.7g/mL. Hint - Remember that combustion uses oxygen gas and

heat to generate CO2 and water.

C8H18 + O2 -> CO2 + H2O
The density of octane is 0.7 grams/milliliter or 0.00018492 gallon

1. 1 gallon gas * 93% gallon octane / 1 gallon gas
2. 0.93 gallons octane * 0.00018492 g/gallon
3. .0001719756 grams octane * 8 grams CO2 / 1 gram octane * 1 kilogram / 1,000 grams *    0.625

pounds / kilogram = 8.59878 x 10-7 grams

 1) 14.1 pounds of CO2

2) Why does the production of CO2 increase the CO2 concentration in water? Why is this

concentration even higher nearer to the earth’s poles?

As the concentration of carbon dioxide increases in the atmosphere, the increased

uptake of carbon dioxide into the oceans is causing a measurable decrease in the pH of

the oceans. With that being said, CO2 increase in concentration because its causing a

measurable decrease in pH.
 

3) Given the chemical equilibrium is so low for the production of carbonic acid from

dissolved carbon dioxide: CO2 (aq) + H2O (heart) ? H2CO3 (aq) keq=1.7x10-3 , why do we

even consider production of carbonic acid an issue? Explain using terms we learned in

class.

 Because the majority of the carbon dioxide is not converted into carbonic acid,

remaining as CO2 molecules.Since the molecules wont appear and change, the equilibrium

is reached quite slowly. Carbonic acid is used in the making of soft drinks,

inexpensive and artificially carbonated sparkling wines, and other bubbly drinks

4) What does the term ocean acidification mean chemically speaking, why are species

made of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) particularly at risk?

Ocean acidification is another, and much less known, result of the approximately 79

million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) released into the atmosphere every day, not only

as a result of fossilfuel burning but also of deforestation and production of

cement.There is a constant exchange between the upper layers of the oceans and the

atmosphere. As for why species made of CaCO3 particularly at risk, that is because,

Calcium is  an important component of a species but having too much calcium carboniate

will make the species really sick.

[Hunter2]

The calculation is wrong

1 gallon is how many liter?  This value calculated with the density give the mass.

This mass convert to moles.

The chemical equation need in right balance. Left and right side the same amount of atoms.

C₈H₁₈ + O₂ -> CO₂ + H₂O Here you have to get the right coefficients.

How many mole CO₂ you obtain from 1 mol Octane?

Then you calculate the amount of CO₂ obtain from your gallon.

This moles you convert back to gram and pounds.

The third answer is related of the solubility of Calcium carbonate in carbonic acid.

Do you know the behavior in a stalactite cave?