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MCAT Chemistry Question — Nitrous Oxide
- by
- Apr 21, 2017
- MCAT Question of the Day
- Reviewed By: Liz Flagge
Amateur chemists make nitrous oxide at home using this (unbalanced) reaction:
How many grams of NH4NO3 are required to produce 134.4 L of mixed gas if products are at STP?
(Do NOT heat the ammonium nitrate above 240°C or it may detonate)
- 160
- 240
- 960
- 1440
Click for Explanation
This solution has 3 steps: balance the equation, determine the required number of moles of product and reactant, and calculate the mass of reactant necessary. The reaction as written is unbalanced. In the balanced equation, 2 moles of H2O and 1 mole of N2O are made for each 1 mole of NH4NO3. 3 moles of product gas result from each mole of reactant. 22.4 L of gas corresponds to 1 mole of gas at STP, and the specified 134.4 L indicates 6 moles of product gases. 6 moles of mixed product gas requires 2 moles of reactant. NH4NO3 weighs 80 g/mole, so 160 g are required.
A. 160, correct. 2 moles of NH4NO3 yields 4 moles of H2O and 2 moles of N2O, for 6 moles of mixed product gas occupying 134.4 L at STP.
B. 240, incorrect, This answer results from using the unbalanced equation as written.
C. 960, incorrect, This answer results from using the unbalanced equation and calculating the mass of 12 moles NH4NO3 for 6 moles N2O product rather than mixed gas.
D. 1440, incorrect, This answer results from using the correct balanced equation and calculating the mass of 18 moles of NH4NO3 for 6 moles of N2O product rather than mixed gas.
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