ENVS 275: A Report on Carbon Dioxide Measurement and Analysis

This report presents an analysis of carbon dioxide levels at different locations. The study utilizes the reaction between barium hydroxide and carbon dioxide to determine the moles and mass of CO2, alongside the application of the gas law equation. The report details the calculation of moles of carbon dioxide at three different locations, namely IES 217, Greenhouse, and Kenmore Ave & W Sheridan Rd, using both the mole ratio from the chemical reaction and the gas law equation. Furthermore, it calculates the concentration of carbon dioxide in parts per million (ppm) at each location. The experiment enhances the understanding of calculating mass and moles using mole ratios in atmospheric carbon dioxide analysis. The findings suggest a direct relationship between carbon dioxide levels and temperature, emphasizing its role as an insulator, as well as providing relevant references.

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Student’s Name
Professor’s Name
ENVS 275
Date
Conclusion
In conclusion, the moles of carbon dioxide are determine from the mole ratio of the reaction that
took place between the solution of measured grams of barium hydroxide and carbon dioxide to
form a resultant products of barium carbonate and water. The moles of barium hydroxide used in
the respective experiment were determined through comparison of the molar mass of barium
hydroxide which is equivalent to 171.34 grams/mole to the respective mass of the barium
hydroxide used in the reaction. Furthermore, it is clear that the mole ratio between carbon
dioxide used in this reaction and the moles of barium hydroxide are equal. Then the moles of
carbon dioxide determined in the three different location will be as follows; at IES 217 location
the mole of carbon dioxide is 0.005897 moles and 0.005845 moles respectively. While at Green
house location the mole of carbon dioxide is 0.005842 moles and 0.0058655 moles respectively.
At Kenmore Ave & W Sheridan Rd location, the mole of carbon dioxide is 0.005866 moles and
0.005982 moles respectively.
Secondly, the mass of the carbon dioxide formed at the three different location will be as
follows; at IES 217 location the mass of carbon dioxide is 0.26 g and 0.257 g respectively. While
at Green house location the mass of carbon dioxide is 0.257 g and 0.258 g respectively and at
Kenmore Ave & W Sheridan Rd, the mass of carbon dioxide is 0.258 g and 0.263 g respectively.
Thirdly, the moles determined using the gas law equation of n= (P*V)/(R*T) (Lee et al.

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2730) formed at the three different location will be as follows; at IES 217 location the mole of air
is 2.0735 moles and 2.0820 moles respectively. While at Green house location the mole of air is
2.03326 moles and 1.99412 moles respectively and at Kenmore Ave & W Sheridan Rd location,
the mole of air is 2.0111 moles and 2.018174 moles respectively.
Fourthly, the concentration of carbon dioxide that will be present in atmosphere inform of parts
per million (ppm) (Madsen et al.225) formed at the three different location is as follows; at IES
217 location the mass of carbon dioxide is 5.215 ppm and 5.125 ppm respectively. While at
Green house location the mass of carbon dioxide is 5.265 ppm and 5.395 ppm respectively and at
Kenmore Ave & W Sheridan Rd location, the mass of carbon dioxide is 5.571 ppm and 5.659
ppm respectively.
In addition, the experimented increased my ability of knowing how to calculate and determine
easily the mass and moles by using mole ratio of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, through a
chemical reaction. This is determined by first weighing the mass of the compound that will
participate in the reaction with carbon dioxide, followed by weighing the mass of the new
compound formed between carbon dioxide and the compound when they react, and finally
drying the new compound and weighing its mass. The mass of the carbon dioxide will be
determined by getting the different between the mass of the new compound and the mass of the
dried compound.
Finally, the science I have learned in this experiment shows clearly that the amount of carbon
dioxide in the atmosphere will have a directly proportionate increase in temperature of a
particular place. This is because carbon dioxide will act as insulator therefore retaining the

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energy loss by the surrounding matter, and therefore the temperature that will be recorded on this
particular place will be higher.
References
Lee, H. J., Lee, J. D., Linga, P., Englezos, P., Kim, Y. S., Lee, M. S., & Do Kim, Y. "Gas
hydrate formation process for pre-combustion capture of carbon dioxide." Energy 35.6
(2010): 2729-2733.

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Madsen, J., Bjerg, B. S., Hvelplund, T., Weisbjerg, M. R., & Lund, P. "Methane and carbon
dioxide ratio in excreted air for quantification of the methane production from
ruminants." Livestock Science 129.1-3 (2010): 223-227.
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