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

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William J. Pietro

Department of Chemistry, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada

J. Chem. Educ., 2009, 86 (5), p 579

DOI: 10.1021/ed086p579

Publication Date (Web): May 1, 2009

Section:

History, Education, and Documentation

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.

Keywords (Audience):

Elementary / Middle School Science

Keywords (Domain):

Environmental Chemistry

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Inquiry-Based / Discovery Learning

Keywords (Subject):

Applications of Chemistry

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This article has been cited by 2 ACS Journal articles (2 most recent appear below).

Teaching the Societal Dimension of Chemistry Using a Socio-Critical and Problem-Oriented Lesson Plan Based on Bioethanol Usage
Timo Feierabend and Ingo Eilks
Journal of Chemical Education2011 Article ASAP
- Teaching the Societal Dimension of Chemistry Using a Socio-Critical and Problem-Oriented Lesson Plan Based on Bioethanol Usage
  Timo Feierabend and Ingo Eilks
  Journal of Chemical Education2011 Article ASAP
  This paper discusses a chemistry lesson plan based on the use of ethanol as an alternative and renewable energy source. The lessons were developed by participatory action research and follow a socio-critical and problem-oriented approach to chemistry ...
  Abstract | Full Text HTML | Hi-Res PDF | PDF w/ Links
Developing Biofuel in the Teaching Laboratory: Ethanol from Various Sources
Jessica L. Epstein, Matthew Vieira, Binod Aryal, Nicolas Vera and Melissa Solis
Journal of Chemical Education2010 87 (7), 708-710
- Developing Biofuel in the Teaching Laboratory: Ethanol from Various Sources
  Jessica L. Epstein, Matthew Vieira, Binod Aryal, Nicolas Vera and Melissa Solis
  Journal of Chemical Education2010 87 (7), 708-710
  In this series of experiments, we mimic a small-scale ethanol plant. Students discover that the practical aspects of ethanol production are determined by the quantity of biomass produced per unit land, rather than the volume of ethanol produced per unit ...
  Abstract | Full Text HTML | Hi-Res PDF | PDF w/ Links