Acid rain is generated when sulfur oxide compounds like SO_2 and SO_3 react with

Question

Acid rain is generated when sulfur oxide compounds like SO_2 and SO_3 react with water. Although some of sulfur oxide compounds in the environment come from natural sources, roughly 80% of the sulfur oxides present in the environment are a result of human activity, notably, the combustion of coal that contains sulfur. The annual emissions of sulfur dioxide from burning coal in the United States are approximately 26 million metric tons. (1 metric ton = 1000 kg) Use dimensional analysis and percent composition to solve these problems. It is possible to solve the problems using the concept of a mole, but do NOT use moles as part of your solutions. Determine how many grams of sulfur must be In the coal In the US to produce 26 million metric tons of SO_2. How many metric tons of coal must be burned In the US annually If 26 million metric tons of SO_2 is formed? Assume that the coal is 2% sulfur by mass. The US actually burns approximately 860 million metric tons of coal per year. Why is your value in part (b) different from this amount? Explain. How many pounds of SO_2 are released into the atmosphere during the combustion of enough coal to fuel a 100 W lightbulb for a year? It takes approximately 715 lbs. of coal to fuel a 100 W lightbulb for a year. Assume that the coal burned is 2% sulfur by mass and that all of the sulfur in the coal reacts to form SO_2.

Explanation / Answer

26 million metric ton = 26 x10^6 metric ton = 26 *10^9 kg = 26 *10^12 gm

Molar mass of SO2 = 32 + 32 = 64g/mol

Moles of SO2 produced = 26 *10^12 gm/64g/mol =0.4063 *10^12 mol

1 mol SO2 contains 1 mol S.

So, mol of S present in 0.4063 *10^12 mol SO2 is =0.4063 *10^12 mol

Mass of S present =0.4063 *10^12 mol * 32g/mol = 13 *10^12 g

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Coal is 2% Sulphur by mass.

2 gm S is present in 100g coal.

13 *10^12 g S is present in 100g *13 *10^12 g/2 = 650 *10^12 g Coal

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This is because not all types of coal have same amount of Sulphur.Some have more S and some have less. So, the actual value is different from calculated value.

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Mass of S in 715lbs of coal = 715 * 2% = 14.3 lbs

Mass of SO2 released = 14.3 lbs

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