Trees can absorb the carbon dioxide emitted in generating electric power. Estima

Question

Trees can absorb the carbon dioxide emitted in generating electric power. Estimate how many large maple trees would be needed to run a dishwasher for one year. Assume the dishwasher uses 1.0 ×108J of energy per year and a large maple tree captures 10 kg of carbon (in CO2) per year. Assume the power plant that generates the electricity is 38 % efficient at converting the carbon in coal to electrical energy and that typical coal releases 40,000 kg of carbon (as CO2) per terajoule of energy when burned. n=___trees/year??? PLEASE SHOW WORK

Explanation / Answer

CO2 released by coal = 40,000 kg/ terajoule
= 4 x 104 kg / 1012 joule
= 4 kg / 108 joule
4 kg is emitted per 108 joule

Energy used by dishwasher = 108 joule
CO2 emission equivalent for 108 joule = 4 kg
One tree can absorb 10 kg per year.
Number of trees needed, n = 1

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