Motor Fuels Are Mixtures of Hydrocarbons, but They Can Be

question 12

Essay

Motor fuels are mixtures of hydrocarbons, but they can be characterized by their average properties. Gasoline (114 g/mol average, d = 0.69 g/mL) and diesel fuel (226 g/mol average, d = 0.85 g/mL) have average enthalpies of combustion of 5,650 kJ/mol and 10,200 kJ/mol, respectively. Calculate the fuel density (kJ/mL) of these compounds, and determine how many times more valuable diesel fuel is in terms of its energy content as measured by fuel density.

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Definitions:

Hourly Wage

The amount of money paid for each hour of work performed, often used in employment agreements.

Algebraic Expression

An expression constructed from integers, variables, and algebraic operations.

Antifreeze

A liquid added to the water in a cooling system to lower its freezing point, commonly used in automobile engines.

Cooling System

A system designed to remove heat from an area or machinery, commonly using a fluid or air to transfer heat away.