Calculate the mass of sodium chloride (NaCl) produced when 5.50 moles of solid sodium reacts in excess chlorine gas. (Hint: Start by writing a balanced chemical equation)
Please help me understand HOW to solve this problem.
start with a balanced equation. Then, notice the ratio of moles Na to moles of NaCl.
MolesNaCl=Ratio*molesNa
then finally, convert the moles of NaCl to mass
MassNaCl=MolesNaCl*formulamassNaCl
where formula mass of NaCl is the atomic mass of Na plus the atomic mass of chlorine atom.
In my head, I get about 320grams of sodium chloride.
Thanks, after seeing this, I see how easy the problem actually was.
To solve this problem, we need to follow a few steps:
Step 1: Write the balanced chemical equation.
Step 2: Determine the stoichiometric ratio.
Step 3: Convert moles of sodium to moles of sodium chloride.
Step 4: Convert moles of sodium chloride to grams.
Step 5: Calculate the mass of sodium chloride.
Let's proceed with each step:
Step 1: Write the balanced chemical equation.
The balanced chemical equation for the reaction between sodium and chlorine gas to form sodium chloride is:
2 Na + Cl2 -> 2 NaCl
Step 2: Determine the stoichiometric ratio.
From the balanced equation, we can see that 2 moles of sodium react with 1 mole of chlorine gas to produce 2 moles of sodium chloride.
Step 3: Convert moles of sodium to moles of sodium chloride.
We are given 5.50 moles of sodium. Since the stoichiometric ratio is 2:2 for sodium to sodium chloride, the moles of sodium chloride produced will also be 5.50 moles.
Step 4: Convert moles of sodium chloride to grams.
The molar mass of sodium chloride (NaCl) is 58.44 g/mol. We can multiply the moles of sodium chloride (5.50 moles) by its molar mass to get the mass in grams:
Mass of sodium chloride = 5.50 moles * 58.44 g/mol = 320.42 g
Step 5: Calculate the mass of sodium chloride.
The mass of sodium chloride produced when 5.50 moles of sodium reacts is 320.42 grams.