Question

Airbags in automobiles inflate where sodium azide, NaN₃, rapidly decomposes to its component elements. How many moles of N₂ are formed by the decomposition of 1.60 mol of NaN₃?

Answer 1

By using stoichiometry based on the balanced equation for the decomposition of sodium azide, we can determine that 1.60 moles of NaN3 will produce 2.40 moles of N2 gas, which is used to rapidly inflate airbags in automobiles.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks about the decomposition of sodium azide, NaN3, to form nitrogen gas, N2, which is an important component in the function of airbags in vehicles. According to the balanced chemical equation, 2 moles of sodium azide decompose to produce 3 moles of nitrogen gas:

2NaN3(s) → 3N2(g) + 2Na(s)

If we start with 1.60 moles of NaN3, we can calculate the moles of N2 formed using stoichiometry:

(1.60 moles NaN3) × (3 moles N2 / 2 moles NaN3) = 2.40 moles of N2

Therefore, the decomposition of 1.60 moles of NaN3 rapidly generates 2.40 moles of N2 gas to inflate the airbag.