Carbon Footprint Calculations: An Application of Chemical Principles

Richard S. Treptow
Department of Chemistry and Physics, Chicago State University, Chicago, Illinois 60628
J. Chem. Educ., 2010, 87 (2), pp 168–171
DOI: 10.1021/ed8000528
Publication Date (Web): January 12, 2010
Copyright © 2010 The American Chemical Society and Division of Chemical Educaation, Inc.

Abstract

Topics commonly taught in a general chemistry course can be used to calculate the quantity of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere by various human activities. Each calculation begins with the balanced chemical equation for the reaction that produces the CO2 gas. Stoichiometry, thermochemistry, the ideal gas law, and dimensional analysis are then used to determine the source's CO2 emission factor. This factor expresses the quantity of gas emitted for a given quantity of activity of the source. In the examples discussed, the mass of carbon dioxide is expressed in terms of the mass of cement produced by a cement factory, the volume of gasoline consumed by an automobile, and the heat produced by burning natural gas. The carbon footprint of each source can be determined from its CO2 emission factor.

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  • Published In Issue January 12, 2010

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