Question

The primary component of the soda lime used in the experimental chamber (calcium hydroxide) reacts to produce a white precipitate. if two moles of soda lime reacts this way, how much of the precipitate will be produced?

Answer 1

Soda lime is a mixture primarily consisting of calcium hydroxide which is used to remove carbon dioxide gas ( CO2) from the surrounding medium.

The reaction of calcium hydroxide with carbon dioxide produces a white insoluble precipitate of calcium carbonate.

The chemical equation for the reaction is given below.

`Ca(OH)_(2) + CO_(2) --------> CaCO_(3) + H_(2) O`

From the above equation we can see that the mole ratio of Ca(OH)₂ and CaCO₃ is 1:1 . This can be used as a conversion factor to find moles of CaCO₃ formed during the reaction

`2mol[Ca(OH)2] * (1mol[CaCO3])/(1mol[Ca(OH)2]) = 2 mol [CaCO3]`

Using molar mass of CaCO3 ( MW = 100.1 g/mol) we can convert moles of CaCO3 to grams.

`2mol[CaCO3] * (100.1g[CaCO3])/(1mol[CaCO3]) = 200.2g[CaCO3]`

200.2 grams of the precipitate will be produced.