Ethanol as an Alternative Fuel for Automobiles: Using the First Law of Thermodynamics to Calculate the "Corn-Area-per-Car" Ratio

Autor/in	Pietro, William J.
Titel	Ethanol as an Alternative Fuel for Automobiles: Using the First Law of Thermodynamics to Calculate the "Corn-Area-per-Car" Ratio
Quelle	In: Journal of Chemical Education, 86 (2009) 5, S.579-581 (3 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0021-9584
Schlagwörter	Fuels; Thermodynamics; Motor Vehicles; Energy; Botany; Science Instruction; Natural Resources; Conservation (Environment); Engines; Scientific Concepts; College Science; Computation; Teaching Methods + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Treibstoff; Thermodynamik; Motor vehicle; Kraftwagen; Energie; Botanik; Teaching of science; Science education; Natural sciences Lessons; Naturwissenschaftlicher Unterricht; Natural Ressource; Natürliche Ressource; Conservation; Environment; Konservierung; Bewahung; Umwelt; Maschine; Teaching method; Lehrmethode; Unterrichtsmethode
Abstract	Students will use the first law of thermodynamics to determine the feasibility of using corn ethanol as an alternative to fossil fuels in automobiles. Energy flow is tracked from the Sun, to photosynthesized carbohydrate, to ethanol through fermentation, and finally to work in the combustion engine. Feasibility is gauged by estimating a "corn-area-per-car" ratio: the area of Earth on which sufficient corn must grow to support the energy needs of an average motor vehicle. This exercise requires students to gain an understanding of the thermochemistry of combustion, fermentation, and the energetics of photosynthesis through an issue of current environmental significance. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Division of Chemical Education of the American Chemical Society. Subscription Department, P.O. Box 1267, Bellmawr, NJ 08099-1267. Tel: 800-691-9846; Tel: 856-931-5825; Fax: 856-931-4115; e-mail: jchemed@egpp.com; Web site: http://www.jce.divched.org
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10