If there were a carbon tax of $250/ton of CO2 on fossil fuels, estimate the increase in the price of a barrel of oil. The density of oil is assumed to be 803 kg/m3. Use C8H18 for oil.

The additional carbon tax on each barrel is 0.394 ton x $250/ton = 98.5 $

Explanation:

A barrel volume is 159 L or 0.159 m³, which then can be converted to weight

m = 0.159 m³ x 803 kg/m³ = 127.677 kg = 127.677 x 10³ g

Then we convert to mol,

n = 127,677 x 10³ g / 114 g/mol = 1.12 x 10³ mol

The reaction for combustion of C₈H₁₈ is as below, each mol of C₈H₁₈ will generate 8 mol of CO₂,

C₈H₁₈ + 27/2 O₂ → 8 CO₂ + 9 H₂O

So the mole of CO₂ generated is 1.12 x 10³ x 8 = 8.96 x 10³ mol

then convert to weight of CO₂,

m = 8.96 x 10³ mol x 44 g/mol = 394.24 x 10³ g = 0.392 ton

Hence the additional carbon tax on each barrel is 0.394 ton x $250/ton = 98.5 $