If a particular utility burned 2.90 million tons of coal that was 2.00% sulfur by weight, how many tons of sulfur dioxide was emitted?

Answer is: 116000 t ons of sulfur dioxide was emitted.

Chemical reaction: S + O₂ → SO₂.

m (S) = m (coal) · ω (S).

m (S) = 2,9·10⁶ t · 0,02.

m (S) = 58000 t · 10⁶ g/t = 5,8·10¹⁰ g.

n (S) = m (S) : M (S).

n (S) = 5,8·10¹⁰ g : 32 g/mol.

n (S) = 1,8125·10⁹ mol.

From chemical reaction: n (S) : n (SO₂) = 1 : 1.

n (SO₂) = 1,8125·10⁹ mol.

m (SO₂) = 1,8125·10⁹ mol · 64 g/mol.

m (SO₂) = 1,16·10¹¹ g = 116000 t.