Texas State Capitol
A Different Way of Saying the Same Thing
RECEIVED Thu., April 1, 2010
Dear Editor,
Today's news mentions a new standard for gas mileage: 35.5 miles per gallon. Additionally, there is a new tailpipe emission standard of 250 grams of CO2 per mile. These are actually equivalent.
There are 25 moles of gasoline in a gallon. Each mole of gasoline produces eight moles of CO2 when burned for a total of 200 moles per gallon. Divide by 35.5 miles per gallon and get 5.6 moles per mile. At 44 grams per mole, 5.6 moles weighs 250 grams. So the 250 grams per mile is just another way of saying 35.5 miles per gallon.
Today's news mentions a new standard for gas mileage: 35.5 miles per gallon. Additionally, there is a new tailpipe emission standard of 250 grams of CO2 per mile. These are actually equivalent.
There are 25 moles of gasoline in a gallon. Each mole of gasoline produces eight moles of CO2 when burned for a total of 200 moles per gallon. Divide by 35.5 miles per gallon and get 5.6 moles per mile. At 44 grams per mole, 5.6 moles weighs 250 grams. So the 250 grams per mile is just another way of saying 35.5 miles per gallon.
Victor Engel