Question

Iron is extracted from iron oxide in the blast furnace. Calculate the maximum theoretical mass of iron that can be made from 100g of iron oxide

Answer 1

69.918 g

Step-by-step explanation:

We are given;

• Mass of iron oxide as 100 g

We are supposed to determine the maximum theoretical yield of Iron from the blast furnace;

• The equation for the reaction in the blast furnace that extracts Iron from iron oxide is given by;

Fe₂O₃ + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO₂

• We can first determine moles of Iron oxide;

Moles = Mass ÷ Molar mass

Molar mass of Fe₂O₃ = 159.69 g/mol

Therefore;

Moles of Fe₂O₃ = 100 g ÷ 159.69 g/mol

= 0.626 moles

• Then we determine moles of Iron produced

From the equation;

1 mole of Fe₂O₃ reacts to produce 2 moles of Fe

Therefore;

Moles of Fe = Moles of Fe₂O₃ × 2

= 0.626 moles × 2

= 1.252 moles

• Maximum theoretical mass of Iron that can be obtained

Mass = Moles × molar mass

Molar mass of Fe = 55.845 g/mol

Therefore;

Mass of Fe = 1.252 moles × 55.845 g/mol

= 69.918 g

Therefore, the maximum theoretical mass of Iron metal obtained is 69.918 g