Why aren't we happier?

[joe-90]

What percentage of a kilo of coal is methane?

 

[2scoops0406]

You obviously don't have your reading glasses on.

 

[joe-90]

No I don't wear glasses. So what's the answer?

 

[2scoops0406]

Very low to none probably. Why do you ask ?

 

[joe-90]

What are you going on about methane for then?

 

[2scoops0406]

Ok, from here

Bitumenous coal (the most common form) Elemental analysis gives empirical formulas such as C137H97O9NS

By composition NOT mass

Carbon ~ 55%
Hydrogen ~ 40 %
Oxygen ~ 3 %
Nitogen < 1%
Sulphur < 1%

By Mass

Carbon ~ 85 %
Hydrogen ~ 5 %
Oxygen ~ 7 %
Nitogen ~ 1 %
Sulphur ~ 2%

I don't see where the Silica SiO2 is ?

Happy, or not?

 

[joe-90]

Yes happy. 85% of coal is carbon.

 

[2scoops0406]

Yes happy. 85% of coal is carbon.

BY mass yes, but it's not made of 85% carbon. Think of alcoholic drinks that are measured percentage wise as ABV not in relative atomic weights.


"Oh, and coal is not near pure carbon, its a hydrocarbon, with more hydrogen by percentage (not mass) than carbon."

So this bit that I wrote is wrong in that there is more carbon the hydrogen even by composition, but it was close.

 

[joe-90]

Call it what you like but 85% carbon means that has got far more carbon than you were saying (more than 50% hydrogen).

 

[2scoops0406]

Call it what you like but 85% carbon means that has got far more carbon than you were saying (more than 50% hydrogen).

By weight yes, but that's becuase carbon is 12 times heavier, chemical reactions do not occur due to the weight of the atom in question.

 

[Shytalkz]

Coal is classified according to the proportion of carbon it contains. The main types are anthracite (shiny, with about 90% carbon), bituminous coal (shiny and dull patches, about 75% carbon), and lignite (woody, grading into peat, about 50% carbon).

 

[2scoops0406]

Coal is classified according to the proportion of carbon it contains. The main types are anthracite (shiny, with about 90% carbon), bituminous coal (shiny and dull patches, about 75% carbon), and lignite (woody, grading into peat, about 50% carbon).

Yeah, oddly in the link I posted it states that lignite is 70% water. 70% water and 50% carbon. Hmmmm.

Joe's logic however seems to be going along the lines of :-

My Automotive collection consists of 10 cars and 8 motorbikes

ergo, my Automotive collection is almost purely made up of cars.

 

[joe-90]

No. You stated that hydrogen was the most abundant element in coal. I said it was carbon. The mighty joe-90 wins again.

 

[2scoops0406]

Well, if you want to call it a win, be my guest

 

[joe-90]

Thank you my gracious host.