Worked Example: CO₂ from Fuel Combustion
Part of Climate Change · GCSE GCSE Chemistry revision
This worked example covers Worked Example: CO₂ from Fuel Combustion within Climate Change for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Climate Change in Atmosphere for GCSE Chemistry with 20 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 10 of 17 in this topic. Treat this as a marking guide for what examiners are looking for, not just a fact list.
Topic position
Section 10 of 17
Practice
20 questions
Recall
15 flashcards
🧮 Worked Example: CO₂ from Fuel Combustion
Question: Calculate the mass of CO₂ produced when 1 kg of octane (C₈H₁₈) burns completely.
Solution:
- Balanced equation: 2C₈H₁₈ + 25O₂ → 16CO₂ + 18H₂O
- Molar masses: Mr(C₈H₁₈) = (8 × 12) + (18 × 1) = 114 g/mol; Mr(CO₂) = 12 + (2 × 16) = 44 g/mol
- Mole ratio: 2 mol C₈H₁₈ → 16 mol CO₂; so 1 mol C₈H₁₈ → 8 mol CO₂
- Mass ratio: 114 g C₈H₁₈ → 8 × 44 = 352 g CO₂
- For 1 kg (1000 g): CO₂ = (1000 ÷ 114) × 352 = 3090 g = 3.09 kg
Answer: 1 kg of octane produces about 3.09 kg of CO₂ — showing why transport is such a large contributor to emissions.
Keep building this topic
Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Climate Change. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.
Practice Questions for Climate Change
Which statement correctly describes the difference between weather and climate?
Explain three consequences of climate change for the environment or human populations. [3 marks]
Quick Recall Flashcards
20 questions on Climate Change — practise free
Instant marking, adaptive difficulty, and 15 spaced repetition flashcards. Free until your GCSEs.
Try PrepWise Free