Question

3. Whenever organic matter is decomposed under oxygen-free (anaerobic) conditions, methane is one of the products. Thus, enormous deposits of natural gas, which is almost entirely methane, exist as a major source of fuel for home and industry.

a. It is estimated that known sources of natural gas can produce 5600 EJ of energy (1 EJ = 101​ 8​ J). Current total global energy usage is 4.0 x 102​ ​EJ per year. Find the mass (in kg) of known sources of natural gas. (∆​H​co​ ​of methane = -802 kJ mol-​ 1​). (​4 marks​)

b. For how many years could these sources supply the world’s total energy needs? (​2 marks​)

c. What volume (in L) of natural gas is required to heat 1L of water from 20 o​ ​C to 100 o​ ​C (Density of water = 1.00 g mL-​1​; density of methane = 0.72 g L-​ 1​)? (​4 marks​)

d. The fission of 1 mol of uranium (about 11.3 mL) in a nuclear reactor produces 2 x 101​ 3​ J of energy. What volume (in L) of natural gas would produce the same amount of energy? (​2 marks​)

Answer 1