Question

In recent years, there has been a large push for an increase in the use of renewable resources to produce the energy we need to power our vehicles. One of the newer fuels that has become more widely available is E85, a mixture of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. Despite being more environmentally friendly, one of the potential drawbacks of E85 fuel is that it produces less energy than conventional gasoline. Assume a car gets 28.0 mi/gal using gasoline at \(3.50/gal and 22.5 mi/gal using E85 at \)2.85/gal. How much will it cost to drive 500. miles using each fuel?

Short answer

The total cost of driving 500 miles using gasoline is $62.50, whereas the total cost using E85 fuel is $63.33. Gasoline is slightly less expensive; however, E85 is considered more environmentally friendly.

Step-by-step solution

Calculate the number of gallons required for each fuel type.

To calculate the number of gallons required for each fuel type, we will need to use the following formula: Number of gallons = Total miles to be driven / Miles per gallon (mi/gal) of the fuel type. For gasoline: Number of gallons = 500 miles / 28.0 mi/gal For E85: Number of gallons = 500 miles / 22.5 mi/gal

Calculate the total cost of driving 500 miles for each fuel type.

Now that we have the number of gallons required for each fuel type, we can calculate the total cost of driving 500 miles using each fuel type. We will use the formula: Total cost = Number of gallons x Cost per gallon. For gasoline: Total cost = Number of gallons (from Step 1) x $3.50/gal For E85: Total cost = Number of gallons (from Step 1) x $2.85/gal

Evaluate the results and solve for the total costs.

Now that we have the formulas set up for both gasoline and E85, let's solve for the total costs to drive 500 miles. For gasoline: Number of gallons = 500 miles / 28.0 mi/gal = 17.857 gallons (approx.) Total cost = 17.857 gallons x \(3.50/gal = \)62.50 For E85: Number of gallons = 500 miles / 22.5 mi/gal = 22.222 gallons (approx.) Total cost = 22.222 gallons x \(2.85/gal = \)63.33

Compare the total cost of driving 500 miles with each fuel type.

We have calculated the total costs of driving 500 miles using gasoline and E85 fuels, and the results are as follows: - Gasoline: $62.50 - E85: $63.33 By comparing the total costs, we can see that driving 500 miles using gasoline is slightly less expensive than using E85. However, it's essential to keep in mind that E85 is considered more environmentally friendly despite producing less energy than conventional gasoline.

Key concepts

Renewable Resources

Ethanol fuel, specifically in the form of E85, is a positive step towards using more renewable resources. Ethanol is produced from plant materials like corn and sugarcane, which can be replenished through agricultural practices. This contrasts with fossil fuels, which are finite and take millions of years to form.
Choosing renewable resources such as ethanol helps to reduce our dependence on non-renewable energy sources like oil and coal. This shift contributes to a more sustainable energy future. Ethanol is readily biodegradable, making it less harmful to the environment in case of leaks or spills.
Furthermore, by using crops that absorb carbon dioxide as they grow, ethanol production can help offset some greenhouse gas emissions, contributing positively to slowing climate change.

• Uses plant materials like corn and sugarcane
• Sustainable and replenishable
• Biodegradable and less harmful in accidents

Energy Efficiency

While E85 is beneficial for the environment, it does come with some challenges regarding energy efficiency. Ethanol contains less energy per gallon than gasoline. This means that vehicles running on E85 typically get fewer miles per gallon. As seen in the exercise, a car using E85 got 22.5 mi/gal compared to 28.0 mi/gal with gasoline.
This difference is due to the lower energy content of ethanol. A gallon of ethanol contains about 67% of the energy found in a gallon of gasoline. Therefore, more E85 is required to cover the same distance.
However, technological advancements are being made to improve the efficiency of ethanol fuels and engines that utilize it. This could help narrow the energy efficiency gap in the future.

• Lower energy content than gasoline
• Fewer miles per gallon with E85
• Continual improvements in technology

Environmental Impact

Ethanol fuels like E85 offer significant environmental benefits. One of the notable advantages is the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. As ethanol is derived from plants that absorb carbon dioxide, its use can contribute to a smaller carbon footprint.
Moreover, ethanol combustion produces fewer harmful pollutants such as carbon monoxide, particulates, and sulfur dioxide compared to traditional gasoline. This results in improved air quality.
Additionally, since ethanol is biodegradable, there is less risk of long-term environmental damage from spills or leaks. However, it's worth noting that large-scale ethanol production can lead to deforestation and water usage concerns if not managed sustainably.

• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
• Lower levels of harmful pollutants
• Biodegradable, reducing spill risks

Fuel Cost Analysis

When analyzing fuel costs, it's essential to consider both the price per gallon and the fuel efficiency. In the given exercise, the cost to drive 500 miles using gasoline was $62.50, while using E85 cost slightly more at $63.33.
Although E85 is cheaper per gallon ($2.85 compared to $3.50 for gasoline), the lower fuel efficiency of E85 causes the total cost to be higher. This highlights the importance of factoring in energy efficiency when evaluating fuel costs.
Nevertheless, the decision to use E85 should also weigh in the environmental benefits and long-term sustainability. As technology advances and more efficient ethanol blends are developed, these costs might decrease, making E85 a more economically viable option.

• Higher cost despite lower price per gallon
• Influence of fuel efficiency on total cost
• Consideration of environmental benefits