Lithium hydroxide is used in the space program to remove carbon dioxide (frin respiration) in spacecraft. Specifically, lithium hydroxide, LiOH reacts with carbon dioxide, CO2 to form lithium carbonate Li2Co3, and water. 2 liOH + Co2 Li2Co3+ H2O. What mass of CO2 can be absorbed by 36 g of LiOH?
Refer to the balanced equation.
mols LiOH = grams/molar mass
mols CO2 = 1/2 x mols LiOH (from the equation which is 2:1)
g CO2 = mols x molar mass.
To determine the mass of CO2 that can be absorbed by 36 g of LiOH, we need to use the balanced chemical equation provided:
2 LiOH + CO2 → Li2CO3 + H2O
By examining the equation, we see that 2 moles of LiOH react with 1 mole of CO2 to produce 1 mole of Li2CO3.
To calculate the mass of CO2, we follow these steps:
1. Determine the molar mass of LiOH:
- Li: 6.94 g/mol
- O: 16.00 g/mol
- H: 1.01 g/mol
Molar mass of LiOH = (6.94 g/mol) + (16.00 g/mol) + (1.01 g/mol) = 23.95 g/mol
2. Convert the given mass of LiOH to moles:
Moles of LiOH = Mass of LiOH / Molar mass of LiOH
Moles of LiOH = 36 g / 23.95 g/mol
Moles of LiOH = 1.502 mol
3. Use the mole ratio from the balanced equation to determine the moles of CO2:
From the balanced equation: 2 moles of LiOH react with 1 mole of CO2
Moles of CO2 = Moles of LiOH / 2
Moles of CO2 = 1.502 mol / 2
Moles of CO2 = 0.751 mol
4. Calculate the mass of CO2 using its molar mass:
Molar mass of CO2 = (12.01 g/mol) + (16.00 g/mol) = 28.01 g/mol
Mass of CO2 = Moles of CO2 × Molar mass of CO2
Mass of CO2 = 0.751 mol × 28.01 g/mol
Mass of CO2 = 21.05 g
Therefore, approximately 21.05 grams of CO2 can be absorbed by 36 grams of LiOH.