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Chapter 12: Problem 8

If you lived in Alaska, state which of these natural gases you would keep in an outdoor storage tank in winter and explain why: methane \(\left(\mathrm{CH}_{4}\right),\) propane \(\left(\mathrm{C}_{3} \mathrm{H}_{8}\right),\) or butane \(\left(\mathrm{C}_{4} \mathrm{H}_{10}\right)\)

Short Answer

Expert verified
Propane (C3H8) would be the most suitable gas to store outside in Alaska during the winter, as its boiling point of -42.1°C is comfortably lower than Alaska's average winter temperature of -17.8°C, ensuring it stays gaseous.

Step by step solution

01

Identify boiling points

Identify the boiling points of the three gases. The boiling point of methane (CH4) is -161.5°C, the boiling point of propane (C3H8) is -42.1°C, and the boiling point of butane (C4H10) is -0.5°C.
02

Compare boiling points with Alaskan winter temperatures

Compare these boiling points with the average winter temperature in Alaska, which is about -17.8°C. Methane would condense into a liquid form since its boiling point is lower than the average temperature. Propane, with a boiling point of -42.1°C, would remain a gas. Butane, with a boiling point of -42.1°C, would also remain in the gaseous state but with a close call.
03

Decide which gas to store outdoors

Considering safety and efficiency, propane would be the better choice for outdoor storage. While both propane and butane would stay gaseous, the boiling point of propane is much lower which means it would stay gaseous even during colder than average temperatures. Butane with its boiling point closer to the average winter temperature in Alaska could risk becoming liquid on colder days.

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