[Volt]

 Yeah, this is kinda pathetic on my part lol. I need to solve this basic, sophomore-level chemistry problem and I'm having trouble with it. I remember HOW to do things, I just need a push in the direction of WHAT to do.

If you plan to take a trip from Chicago to Seattle (1738mi) what fuel would produce the smallest CO2 signature? What would be the amount in grams of CO2 produces for each fuel for the trip? what would be the volume of the CO2 produced for each fuel if the pressure of the day was 788.9mmHg and the average temperature was 70.0F. Each reaction is complete combustion of each fuel. You must assume that each fuel is a liquid.

Help is appreciated. Btw, I'm no slacker when it comes to school, but for some reason I can't remember how to go about solving this.

[UG]

What are the fuels? 

[Volt]

E85 = 32mpg
Propane = 21mpg
Octane = 38mpg
Butane = 30mpg

[UG]

First write out balanced equations for each fuel, then calculate how many gallons (I have no idea how you still manage to use gallons  ) are needed for the trip, then you can work out the amount of moles of the fuel using n=mass/molar mass (have you got the densities?) and thus the amount of moles of carbon dioxide and also the mass.

[billnotgatez]

Would it be prudent to convert everything to metric before proceeding?

[sjb]

Would it be prudent to convert everything to metric before proceeding?

Probably, if only to avoid things like gallon ambiguities. (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gallon&oldid=280878132)

[typhoon2028]

Would it be prudent to convert everything to metric before proceeding?

 I once did that on a Thermodynamics test, and my teacher penalized me.  He was a douche.

[sjb]

Would it be prudent to convert everything to metric before proceeding?

Probably, if only to avoid things like gallon ambiguities. (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gallon&oldid=280878132)

Actually, the more I think about it, this is irrelevant in terms of an actual ordering, but if you need the actual figures...

Does E85 have a precisely defined composition? All the notes I can find on a brief search suggest it's a variable beast.It also seems to me assuming all are liquid is incompatible with the given temperature though

[lancenti]

I suppose the point of assuming it's a liquid is since telling a High School kid that you're filling a gas tank with a gas just won't click with them since they're used to treating it as a liquid.