What mass of potassium chloride, a salt substitute often used by heart patients, can be produced directly from 5.2 g potassium and 7.9 g chlorine?
9.9 g
I agree.
To determine the mass of potassium chloride that can be produced from potassium and chlorine, we need to consider the balanced chemical equation for the reaction between the two elements. The balanced equation is:
2 K + Cl2 -> 2 KCl
From the balanced equation, we can see that two moles of potassium (K) react with one mole of chlorine (Cl2) to produce two moles of potassium chloride (KCl).
First, we need to calculate the number of moles of potassium and chlorine we have:
Moles of potassium (K) = mass / molar mass = 5.2 g / 39.1 g/mol = 0.133 mol
Moles of chlorine (Cl2) = mass / molar mass = 7.9 g / 70.9 g/mol = 0.111 mol
Since the ratio of moles of potassium to chlorine is 2:1, we need to find the limiting reactant, which is the one that is present in a lower amount. In this case, chlorine is the limiting reactant because it is present in fewer moles.
Now, we can calculate the mass of potassium chloride (KCl) that can be produced using the moles of chlorine:
Moles of potassium chloride (KCl) produced = 0.111 mol (from chlorine)
Molar mass of potassium chloride (KCl) = 39.1 g/mol + 35.5 g/mol = 74.6 g/mol
Mass of potassium chloride (KCl) produced = moles * molar mass = 0.111 mol * 74.6 g/mol = 8.28 g
Therefore, the mass of potassium chloride that can be produced directly from 5.2 g of potassium and 7.9 g of chlorine is approximately 8.28 g.