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Ch.7 - Periodic Properties of the Elements
Chapter 7, Problem 108c

Potassium superoxide, KO2, is often used in oxygen masks (such as those used by firefighters) because KO2 reacts with CO2 to release molecular oxygen. Experiments indicate that 2 mol of KO2(s) react with each mole of CO2(g). (c) What mass of KO2(s) is needed to consume 18.0 g CO2(g)? What mass of O2(g) is produced during this reaction?

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Determine the molar mass of CO_2 by adding the atomic masses of carbon (C) and oxygen (O). The molar mass of CO_2 is the sum of the atomic mass of C (12.01 g/mol) and two times the atomic mass of O (16.00 g/mol).
Calculate the number of moles of CO_2 using the given mass (18.0 g) and the molar mass of CO_2. Use the formula: \( \text{moles of CO}_2 = \frac{\text{mass of CO}_2}{\text{molar mass of CO}_2} \).
Use the stoichiometry of the reaction to find the moles of KO_2 needed. According to the balanced chemical equation, 2 moles of KO_2 react with 1 mole of CO_2. Therefore, multiply the moles of CO_2 by 2 to find the moles of KO_2 required.
Calculate the mass of KO_2 needed using its molar mass. First, determine the molar mass of KO_2 by adding the atomic masses of potassium (K), oxygen (O), and another oxygen (O). Then, use the formula: \( \text{mass of KO}_2 = \text{moles of KO}_2 \times \text{molar mass of KO}_2 \).
Determine the mass of O_2 produced. From the stoichiometry of the reaction, find the moles of O_2 produced per mole of CO_2 reacted. Then, calculate the mass of O_2 using its molar mass (32.00 g/mol) and the moles of O_2 produced. Use the formula: \( \text{mass of O}_2 = \text{moles of O}_2 \times \text{molar mass of O}_2 \)."]}

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Stoichiometry

Stoichiometry is the branch of chemistry that deals with the quantitative relationships between the reactants and products in a chemical reaction. It allows us to calculate the amounts of substances consumed and produced based on balanced chemical equations. In this case, knowing the stoichiometric ratio between KO2 and CO2 is essential to determine how much KO2 is needed to react with a given mass of CO2.
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Molar Mass

Molar mass is the mass of one mole of a substance, typically expressed in grams per mole (g/mol). It is crucial for converting between the mass of a substance and the number of moles. To solve the problem, we need to calculate the molar mass of KO2 and CO2 to find out how many grams of KO2 are required to react with 18.0 g of CO2.
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Gas Laws

Gas laws describe the behavior of gases in relation to pressure, volume, temperature, and the number of moles. In this context, understanding how the reaction produces O2 gas is important, as it relates to the ideal gas law and the conditions under which gases are measured. The reaction's stoichiometry will also help determine the amount of O2 produced from the reaction of KO2 with CO2.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

Moseley established the concept of atomic number by studying X rays emitted by the elements. The X rays emitted by some of the elements have the following wavelengths: Element Wavelength (pm) Ne 1461 Ca 335.8 Zn 143.5 Zr 78.6 Sn 49.1 (d) Use the result from part (b) to predict the X-ray wavelength emitted by iron.

Textbook Question

One way to measure ionization energies is ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (PES), a technique based on the photoelectric effect. (Section 6.2) In PES, monochromatic light is directed onto a sample, causing electrons to be emitted. The kinetic energy of the emitted electrons is measured. The difference between the energy of the photons and the kinetic energy of the electrons corresponds to the energy needed to remove the electrons (that is, the ionization energy). Suppose that a PES experiment is performed in which mercury vapor is irradiated with ultraviolet light of wavelength 58.4 nm. (c) The kinetic energy of the emitted electrons is measured to be 1.72 × 10-18 J. What is the first ionization energy of Hg, in kJ/mol?

Textbook Question

One way to measure ionization energies is ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (PES), a technique based on the photoelectric effect. (Section 6.2) In PES, monochromatic light is directed onto a sample, causing electrons to be emitted. The kinetic energy of the emitted electrons is measured. The difference between the energy of the photons and the kinetic energy of the electrons corresponds to the energy needed to remove the electrons (that is, the ionization energy). Suppose that a PES experiment is performed in which mercury vapor is irradiated with ultraviolet light of wavelength 58.4 nm. (d) Using Figure 7.10, determine which of the halogen elements has a first ionization energy closest to that of mercury.

Textbook Question

When magnesium metal is burned in air (Figure 3.5), two products are produced. One is magnesium oxide, MgO. The other is the product of the reaction of Mg with molecular nitrogen, magnesium nitride. When water is added to magnesium nitride, it reacts to form magnesium oxide and ammonia gas. c. In an experiment, a piece of magnesium ribbon is burned in air in a crucible. The mass of the mixture of MgO and magnesium nitride after burning is 0.470 g. Water is added to the crucible, further reaction occurs, and the crucible is heated to dryness until the final product is 0.486 g of MgO. What was the mass percentage of magnesium nitride in the mixture obtained after the initial burning?

Textbook Question

When magnesium metal is burned in air (Figure 3.5), two products are produced. One is magnesium oxide, MgO. The other is the product of the reaction of Mg with molecular nitrogen, magnesium nitride. When water is added to magnesium nitride, it reacts to form magnesium oxide and ammonia gas. d. Magnesium nitride can also be formed by reaction of the metal with ammonia at high temperature. Write a balanced equation for this reaction. If a 6.3-g Mg ribbon reacts with 2.57 g NH3(𝑔) and the reaction goes to completion, which component is the limiting reactant? What mass of H2(𝑔) is formed in the reaction?

Textbook Question

hen magnesium metal is burned in air (Figure 3.5), two products are produced. One is magnesium oxide, MgO. The other is the product of the reaction of Mg with molecular nitrogen, magnesium nitride. When water is added to magnesium nitride, it reacts to form magnesium oxide and ammonia gas. e. The standard enthalpy of formation of solid magnesium nitride is −461.08 kJ/mol. Calculate the standard enthalpy change for the reaction between magnesium metal and ammon