Question

HCN forms when synthetic fibers containing Orlon® or Acrilan® burn. Acrilan® has an empirical formula of CH2CHCN, so HCN is 50.9% of the formula by mass. A rug in the laboratory measures 3.70 × 4.20 m and contains 30.0 oz of Acrilan® fibers per square yard of carpet. If the rug burns, what mass of HCN will be generated in the room? Assume that the yield of HCN from the fibers is 20.0% and that the carpet is 42.0 % consumed.

Answer 1

676 g

Step-by-step explanation:

First, let's calculate the area of the rug: 3.70x4.20 = 15.54 m². Knowing that 1 yard has 0.9144 m, so

1 yd² = (0.9144 m)² = 0.8361 m²

So, there is 30.0 oz in 0.8361 m²

30.0 oz-----------------0.8361 m²

x -----------------15.54 m²

By a simple direct three rule:

0.8361x = 466.2

x = 557.6 oz of Acrilan in the rug

1 oz = 28.35 grams, so 557.6 oz = 15807.96 g

The potencial of HCN is 50.9% of this mass, so: 0.509x15807.96 = 8046.25 g.

But only 42.0% of the rug is burned, so the potencial of HCN is 42.0% of 8046.25: 0.42x 8046.25 = 3379.42 g.

And the yield is only 20.%, so the mass formed of HCN is:

0.20x3379.42 = 676 g