What is the calorific value of methane (CH4)?

What is the calorific value of methane (CH4)?

• A. 1200
• B. 800
• C. 1000
• D. 1500

Answer: (C)

Calorific value is the energy released when a fuel burns completely, i.e., the heat of combustion per unit amount of fuel. For methane, the standard enthalpy of combustion to liquid water is about 890 kJ per mole. In many introductory problems this value is rounded to the nearest thousand for simplicity, so 1000 kJ per mole is the closest approximate figure. The exact calculation (about 890 kJ/mol) sits between 800 and 1000, but 1000 is the typical rounded value used in quick questions. Among the given numbers, the one around 1000 kJ per mole best represents methane’s calorific value in this context.

Calorific value is the energy released when a fuel burns completely, i.e., the heat of combustion per unit amount of fuel. For methane, the standard enthalpy of combustion to liquid water is about 890 kJ per mole. In many introductory problems this value is rounded to the nearest thousand for simplicity, so 1000 kJ per mole is the closest approximate figure. The exact calculation (about 890 kJ/mol) sits between 800 and 1000, but 1000 is the typical rounded value used in quick questions. Among the given numbers, the one around 1000 kJ per mole best represents methane’s calorific value in this context.