A scientist heats 30 grams of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in the chemical reaction shown. CaCo3 -> CO2 -> CaO.
What is the total mass of the products?
Since calcium carbonate (CaCO3) decomposes into carbon dioxide (CO2) and calcium oxide (CaO), the total mass of the products can be calculated by adding the masses of CO2 and CaO.
To find the mass of CO2 produced, we need to know the molar mass of carbon dioxide. It can be calculated by adding the atomic masses of carbon (C) and oxygen (O) atoms.
Mass of carbon dioxide (CO2) = atomic mass of carbon (C) + 2 * atomic mass of oxygen (O)
= 12.01 g/mol + 2 * 16.00 g/mol
= 12.01 g/mol + 32.00 g/mol
= 44.01 g/mol
Assuming the reaction goes to completion, the mass of CO2 formed will be equal to the mass of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) used since the reactants react in a 1:1 molar ratio.
Mass of CO2 = Mass of CaCO3 = 30 grams
Now, to find the mass of calcium oxide (CaO) produced, we need to know the molar mass of calcium oxide, which can be calculated as follows:
Mass of calcium oxide (CaO) = atomic mass of calcium (Ca) + atomic mass of oxygen (O)
= 40.08 g/mol + 16.00 g/mol
= 56.08 g/mol
Again, assuming the reaction goes to completion, the mass of CaO formed will also be equal to the mass of CaCO3 used since the reactants react in a 1:1 molar ratio.
Mass of CaO = Mass of CaCO3 = 30 grams
The total mass of the products is the sum of the masses of CO2 and CaO.
Total mass of products = Mass of CO2 + Mass of CaO
= 30 grams + 30 grams
= 60 grams
Therefore, the total mass of the products is 60 grams.