3NaHCO3 + C6H8O7 → 3CO2 + 3H2O+ Na3C6H5O7, how many grams of carbon dioxide are formed as the solution fizzes?

Question

Antacids, such as Alka-Seltzer, use the reaction of sodium bicarbonate with citric acid in water solution to produce a fizz as follows:

3NaHCO₃ + C₆H₈O₇ → 3CO₂ + 3H₂O+ Na₃C₆H₅O₇

If 3.88 g of the citric acid (C₆H₈O₇) reacts with excess sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃), how many grams of carbon dioxide are formed as the solution fizzes?

Answer 1

3NaHCO₃ + C₆H₈O₇ → 3CO₂ + 3H₂O+ Na₃C₆H₅O₇ .. balanced equation

molar mass citric acid (C₆H₈O₇) = 192 g / mole

molar mass CO₂ = 44 g / mole

mols citric acid present = 3.88 g x 1 mol / 192 g = 0.0202 moles

grams CO₂ formed = 0.0202 mols C₆H₈O₇ x 3 mols CO₂ / 1 mol C₆H₈O₇ x 44 g CO₂/mol = 2.67 g CO₂