What mass in grams of NaN3 is required to produce 50.2 L of N2 gas (density = 1.25 g/L) according to the balanced chemical reaction: 2NaN3(s) > 2Na(s) + 3N2(g)

Answer 1

Hello, Alexis,

Let's start by calculating the mass of N₂ sought from this reaction. Take the 50.2 liters and multiply it by the density (1.25 g/L) to get 62.75 grams. Convert that to moles (62.75/28.0g/mole) = 2.24 moles of N₂.

Note that it requires 2 moles of NaN₃ to make 3 moles of N₂. That makes it a molar ratio of (3 moles N₂/2 moles NaN₃). Invert that conversion to get (2 moles NaN₃/3 moles N₂). Multiply that times the (2.24 moles N₂) requeested to find that 3.36 moles of NaN₃ are required for that volume of N₂ gas with a density of 1.25 g/liter.

Bob