Compare the amount of carbon dioxide released in one year from burning coal to power 10, 65-watt incandescent bulbs with the amount released from powering 10, 13-watt compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. Assume the bulbs are on four hours per day for 365 days. You will need to determine the kilowatt hours (kWh) used. First, multiply the wattage of the bulbs by the number of light bulbs to determine the total watts used in one hour. Then multiply the result by time in hours to obtain the watt hours. Next, divide the result by 1000 to obtain kilowatt hours. On average, 2.1 pounds of carbon dioxide are released for every kWh of electricity produced.

Incandescent bulbs: carbon dioxide released ≈ 1993 pounds

CFL bulbs: carbon dioxide released ≈ 399 pounds

Therefore, CFL bulbs release less amount of carbon dioxide as compared to Incandescent bulbs.

Explanation:

Incandescent bulbs:

Total watts = 10*65

Total watts = 650 watts

watt hours in 1 day = 650*4

watt hours in 1 day = 2600 Wh

In one year,

watt hours in 365 days = 2600*365

watt hours in 365 days = 949000 Wh

Convert into kilowatt hours

kilowatt hours in 365 days = 949000/1000

kilowatt hours in 365 days = 949 kWh

2.1 pounds of carbon dioxide is released for 1 kWh

carbon dioxide released = 949*2.1

carbon dioxide released ≈ 1993 pounds

Compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs:

Total watts = 10*13

Total watts = 130 watts

watt hours in 1 day = 130*4

watt hours in 1 day = 520 Wh

In one year,

watt hours in 365 days = 520*365

watt hours in 365 days = 189800 Wh

Convert into kilowatt hours

kilowatt hours in 365 days = 189800/1000

kilowatt hours in 365 days = 189.8 kWh

2.1 pounds of carbon dioxide is released for 1 kWh

carbon dioxide released = 189.8*2.1

carbon dioxide released ≈ 399 pounds

Conclusion:

Therefore, CFL bulbs release less amount of carbon dioxide (399 lb) as compared to Incandescent bulbs (1993 lb)