Question
Calculate the amount of carbon dioxide that could be produced when
(i) 1 mole of carbon is burnt in air.
(ii) 1 mole of carbon is burnt in 16g of dioxygen.
(iii) 2 moles of carbon are burnt in 16g of dioxygen.
Solution
The balanced equation for the combustion of carbon in dioxygen/air is as represented below:
C(s) + O2 (g)
CO2(g)
1 mol 1 mol 1 mol
(12g) (32 g) (44 g)
(i) Since in air, the combustion is complete, therefore when 1 mole of carbon is burnt, the amount of CO2 formed is 44g.
(ii) Since 16g of dioxygen is available, therefore it can combine only with 0.5 mole of carbon. Thus, dioxygen is the limiting reactant and O2 produced is 22g.
(iii) Here again, dioxygen is the limiting reactant. 16g of O2 can combine with 0.5 mole of carbon. Thus CO2 produced is 22g.
C(s) + O2 (g)
CO2(g)1 mol 1 mol 1 mol
(12g) (32 g) (44 g)
(i) Since in air, the combustion is complete, therefore when 1 mole of carbon is burnt, the amount of CO2 formed is 44g.
(ii) Since 16g of dioxygen is available, therefore it can combine only with 0.5 mole of carbon. Thus, dioxygen is the limiting reactant and O2 produced is 22g.
(iii) Here again, dioxygen is the limiting reactant. 16g of O2 can combine with 0.5 mole of carbon. Thus CO2 produced is 22g.
