Potassium superoxide, KO2, is used for producing oxygen and removing carbon dioxide in selfcontained

breathing units, space shuttles, and other enclosed spaces. First the potassium superoxide reacts with
moisture to release oxygen and produce potassium hydroxide. Then the potassium hydroxide reacts with carbon
dioxide to produce potassium carbonate. The equations are:
4 KO2 (s) + 2 H2O (g) → 4 KOH (s) + 3 O2 (g)
2 KOH (s) + CO2 (g) → K2CO3 (s) + H2O (l)
What mass of CO2 (in kg) can be absorbed by 1.80 kg of KO2?

To determine the mass of CO2 that can be absorbed by 1.80 kg of KO2, we need to calculate the stoichiometry of the reaction and use the molar mass of CO2.

First, let's find the molar mass of KO2 and CO2:
- KO2: Potassium (K) has a molar mass of 39.10 g/mol, and Oxygen (O) has a molar mass of 16.00 g/mol, so the molar mass of KO2 is 39.10 g/mol + (2 x 16.00 g/mol) = 71.10 g/mol.
- CO2: Carbon (C) has a molar mass of 12.01 g/mol, and Oxygen (O) has a molar mass of 16.00 g/mol, so the molar mass of CO2 is 12.01 g/mol + (2 x 16.00 g/mol) = 44.01 g/mol.

Next, let's calculate the moles of KO2 in 1.80 kg:
- The molar mass of KO2 is 71.10 g/mol, so the number of moles of KO2 is (mass of KO2) / (molar mass of KO2) = 1.80 kg / (71.10 g/mol) = 0.0253 mol.

Using the balanced chemical equation, we can determine the stoichiometry between KO2 and CO2:
- From the balanced equation, it shows that 2 moles of KOH react with 1 mole of CO2.
- Therefore, we can say that 2 moles of KOH are produced for every mole of CO2 absorbed.

To calculate the moles of CO2 absorbed:
- Since the stoichiometry is 2 moles of KOH to 1 mole of CO2, the number of moles of CO2 absorbed is 0.0253 mol / 2 = 0.0127 mol.

Finally, let's convert the moles of CO2 to mass in kg:
- The molar mass of CO2 is 44.01 g/mol, so the mass of CO2 is 0.0127 mol x 44.01 g/mol = 0.559 g.
- Since 1 kg = 1000 g, the mass of CO2 in kg is 0.559 g / 1000 = 0.000559 kg.

Therefore, the mass of CO2 that can be absorbed by 1.80 kg of KO2 is approximately 0.000559 kg.