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11.1.1: Mass Stoichiometry

  • Page ID
    409092
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    Learning Objectives
    • Convert from mass of one substance to mass of another substance in a chemical reaction.

    Mass to Mass Stoichiometry Conversions

    The first pathway we will look at is starting with grams of one chemical in an equation and ending with grams of another. See the highlighted portion below.

    clipboard_ecf2006ad7ba2af773447da5d84d0614f.png
    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Mass stoichiometry pathway

    Here's an example of how it will work.

    Example \(\PageIndex{2}\): Decomposition of Ammonium Nitrate

    Ammonium nitrate decomposes to dinitrogen monoxide and water according to the following equation.

    \[\ce{NH_4NO_3} \left( s \right) \rightarrow \ce{N_2O} \left( g \right) + 2 \ce{H_2O} \left( l \right) \nonumber \]

    In a certain experiment, \(45.7 \: \text{g}\) of ammonium nitrate is decomposed. Find the mass of each of the products formed.

    Solutions to Example 8.5.2
    Steps for Problem Solving Example \(\PageIndex{2}\)
    Identify the "given" information and what the problem is asking you to "find."

    Given: \(45.7 \: \text{g} \: \ce{NH_4NO_3}\)
    Find:

    Mass \(\ce{N_2O} = ? \: \text{g}\)

    Mass \(\ce{H_2O} = ? \: \text{g}\)

    List other known quantities.

    1 mol \(\ce{NH_4NO_3} = 80.06 \: \text{g/mol}\)

    1 mol \(\ce{N_2O} = 44.02 \: \text{g/mol}\)

    1 mol \(\ce{H_2O} = 18.02 \: \text{g/mol}\)

    1 mol NH4NO3 to 1 mol N2O to 2 mol H2O

    Prepare two concept maps and use the proper conversion factor.
    8.4.2a.PNG
    Flowchart of conversion factors: 1 mole NH4NO3 to 80.06 grams NH4NO3, 1 mole N2O to 1 mole NH4NO3, 44.02 grams N2O to 1 mole N2O
    8.4.2b.PNG
    Flowchart of conversion factors: 1 mole NH4NO3 to 80.06 grams NH4NO3, 2 moles H2O to 1 mole NH4NO3, 18.02 grams H2O to 1 mole H2O
    Cancel units and calculate.

    \(45.7 \: \text{g} \: \ce{NH_4NO_3} \times \dfrac{1 \: \text{mol} \: \ce{NH_4NO_3}}{80.06 \: \text{g} \: \ce{NH_4NO_3}} \times \dfrac{1 \: \text{mol} \: \ce{N_2O}}{1 \: \text{mol} \: \ce{NH_4NO_3}} \times \dfrac{44.02 \: \text{g} \: \ce{N_2O}}{1 \: \text{mol} \: \ce{N_2O}} = 25.1 \: \text{g} \: \ce{N_2O}\)

    \(45.7 \: \text{g} \: \ce{NH_4NO_3} \times \dfrac{1 \: \text{mol} \: \ce{NH_4NO_3}}{80.06 \: \text{g} \: \ce{NH_4NO_3}} \times \dfrac{2 \: \ce{H_2O}}{1 \: \text{mol} \: \ce{NH_4NO_3}} \times \dfrac{18.02 \: \text{g} \: \ce{H_2O}}{1 \: \text{mol} \: \ce{H_2O}} = 20.6 \: \text{g} \: \ce{H_2O}\)

    Think about your result. The total mass of the two products is equal to the mass of ammonium nitrate which decomposed, demonstrating the law of conservation of mass. Each answer has three significant figures.
    Exercise \(\PageIndex{2}\): Carbon Tetrachloride

    Methane can react with elemental chlorine to make carbon tetrachloride (\(\ce{CCl_4}\)). The balanced chemical equation is as follows:

    \[\ce{CH4 (g) + 4 Cl2 (g) → CCl2 (l) + 4 HCl (l) } \nonumber \]

    How many grams of \(\ce{HCl}\) are produced by the reaction of 100.0 g of \(\ce{CH4}\)?

    Answer
    908.7g HCl

    Summary

    • A balanced chemical reaction can be used to determine mass relationships between substances.

    11.1.1: Mass Stoichiometry is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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