E10 petrol and climate change | 14–16 years

An image showing the pages available in the downloads with yellow hard hats in the shape of an 8 in the foreground.

Source: © Royal Society of Chemistry

Fuel your learners’ understanding about fermentation and bioethanol, and check recall and application of knowledge while developing student literacy

This resource provides a real-life example of the use of ethanol, which can be tied into your teaching of fermentation and biofuels with your GCSE or equivalent 14–16 learners. The activites will give your learners a chance to consider the underlying chemistry and assess the claims made about E10 petrol, a new mixture of petrol now available at pumps in the UK.

E10 contains an increased proportion of ethanol from renewable sources and is claimed to help lower the carbon emissions contributing to climate change. Use this information to discuss UN Sustainable development goal 8: promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all, with your class and highlight study options and careers in chemistry to your 14–16 learners.

Thanks for using the RSC’s education resources. You can view one resource per month as a visitor, or two resources per month when you’re logged in with a personal account.

A photograph of a teacher standing in a white lab coat, speaking with a class of children in a laboratory, is superimposed on a colourful background. Text reads "Teach Chemistry means support for classroom and staff room".

Register for Teach Chemistry for free, unlimited access

Registration is open to all teachers and technicians at secondary schools, colleges and teacher training institutions in the UK and Ireland.

Get all this, plus much more: 

unlimited access to resources, core practical videos and Education in Chemistry articles
teacher well-being toolkit, personal development resources and online assessments
applications for funding to support your lessons

Set up your Teach Chemistry account

Already a Teach Chemistry member? Sign in now.

Not a science teacher or technician based in the UK or Ireland? Don’t worry – you can also access all our resources with Royal Society of Chemistry membership.