Final answer:
The balanced chemical equation for the reaction between sodium metal and chlorine gas is 2Na (s) + Cl₂ (g) → 2NaCl (s). To find the actual yield, first calculate the theoretical yield of NaCl from the given mass of sodium, and then apply the percentage yield. However, the calculated actual yield does not match the provided options.
Step-by-step explanation:
The balanced chemical equation for the reaction between sodium metal and chlorine gas is 2Na (s) + Cl₂ (g) → 2NaCl (s). This indicates that two atoms of sodium react with one molecule of chlorine gas to form two units of sodium chloride. To determine the actual yield of sodium chloride when 17.25 grams of sodium react with excess chlorine with a percentage yield of 88%, we first need to calculate the theoretical yield of NaCl.
First, calculate the moles of Na: moles Na = mass Na / molar mass Na. The molar mass of Na is 22.99 g/mol, so the moles of sodium used are 17.25 g / 22.99 g/mol = 0.7503 mol. The stoichiometry of the reaction shows that one mole of Na produces one mole of NaCl; therefore, the moles of NaCl also equal 0.7503 mol. Now, calculate the mass of NaCl produced (theoretical yield): mass NaCl = moles NaCl × molar mass NaCl. Molar mass of NaCl is 58.44 g/mol, so the mass is 0.7503 mol × 58.44 g/mol = 43.87 g (theoretical yield).
Now, calculate the actual yield using the percentage yield: actual yield = theoretical yield × (percentage yield / 100%). Thus, the actual yield is 43.87 g × 0.88 = 38.61 grams. However, this value does not correspond to any of the given options, suggesting a possible discrepancy in the question's data or the provided options.