What is the amount of carbon dioxide emitted when one kilogram of wax candles is burned?

Candles are made from paraffin wax, which has a generic chemical formula of `C_nH_(2n+2)` . In this equation, n could be between 20 and 30. When candle wax burns, the following chemical reaction will take place:

`2C_nH_(2n+2) + (3n+1)O_2 -> 2nCO_2 + 2(n+1)H_2O`

Thus, for every mole of candle wax burnt, n moles of carbon dioxide are generated.

A possible chemical formula for candle wax could be C20H42. The chemical formula for its burning would be:

`2C_20H_42 + 61O_2 -> 40CO_2 + 42H_2O`

With this chemical composition, the molar mass of candle wax would be:

molar mass = (20 x 12) + (42 x 1) = 282 g/mole

1 kg or 1,000 g of candle wax = 1000 g / (282 g/mole) = 3.546 moles of candle wax

Using stoichiometry, 3.546 moles of candle wax will generate 70.92 moles (= 20 x 3.546) of carbon dioxide.

Since the molar mass of carbon dioxide is 44 g/mole, the amount of carbon dioxide generated = 70.92 moles x 44 g/mole = 3,120.48 g CO2

or, 3.12 kg of CO2.

Hope this helps.