Calculate the amount of co2 produced when 1 mole of carbon is burnt in 16g of dioxygen

To determine the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) produced when 1 mole of carbon is burned in 16 grams of dioxygen (O2), we need to look at the chemical reaction involved and the stoichiometry of the reactants and products.

The Chemical Reaction

The combustion of carbon can be represented by the following balanced equation:

C + O2 → CO2

Understanding the Reactants

In this reaction, 1 mole of carbon (C) reacts with 1 mole of dioxygen (O2) to produce 1 mole of carbon dioxide (CO2). Now, let's analyze the dioxygen component:

• The molar mass of dioxygen (O2) is approximately 32 grams per mole (16 grams per mole for each oxygen atom).
• Since we have 16 grams of O2, we can calculate the number of moles of dioxygen available for the reaction.

Calculating Moles of Dioxygen

To find the number of moles of O2, we use the formula:

Number of moles = Mass (g) / Molar mass (g/mol)

Substituting in the values:

Number of moles of O2 = 16 g / 32 g/mol = 0.5 moles

Determining the Limiting Reactant

Now, we have 1 mole of carbon and 0.5 moles of dioxygen. In a combustion reaction, the limiting reactant is the one that will be completely consumed first, thus determining the amount of product formed.

According to the balanced equation, 1 mole of carbon requires 1 mole of dioxygen. Since we only have 0.5 moles of O2, it will limit the reaction:

• 1 mole of C requires 1 mole of O2.
• 0.5 moles of O2 can only react with 0.5 moles of C.

Calculating the Amount of CO2 Produced

Since we can only use 0.5 moles of carbon due to the limitation of dioxygen, we can now calculate the amount of CO2 produced. According to the stoichiometry of the reaction:

1 mole of C produces 1 mole of CO2.

Thus, 0.5 moles of C will produce:

0.5 moles of CO2.

Final Calculation of Mass of CO2

To find the mass of the carbon dioxide produced, we need to calculate its molar mass:

• The molar mass of CO2 is approximately 44 grams per mole (12 g/mol for carbon and 16 g/mol for each of the two oxygen atoms).

Now, we can find the mass of CO2 produced:

Mass of CO2 = Number of moles × Molar mass

Substituting the values:

Mass of CO2 = 0.5 moles × 44 g/mol = 22 grams

Summary

When 1 mole of carbon is burned in 16 grams of dioxygen, the reaction produces 22 grams of carbon dioxide (CO2). This example illustrates the importance of stoichiometry in chemical reactions, helping us understand how reactants interact and the quantities of products formed.