Question

Tricarbon octahydride is stored in large metal cylinders; each cylinder can hold 145 grams of the molecule. How many moles of tricarbon octahydride can fit inside one of these cylinders? A) 3.45 moles

B) 4.62 moles
C) 2.15 moles
D) 5.77 moles

Answer 1

When we calculate the number of moles of tricarbon octahydride (propane C3H8) that a cylinder can hold, dividing the mass of the gas (145 grams) by its molar mass (44.097 g/mol) gives approximately 3.29 moles. The closest answer choice is 3.45 moles.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine how many moles of tricarbon octahydride can fit inside a cylinder that can hold 145 grams of the molecule, we need to calculate the number of moles using the formula:

Moles = mass (g) / molar mass (g/mol)

Tricarbon octahydride is also known as propane, which has the formula C3H8. To find the molar mass of tricarbon octahydride, we sum the atomic masses of the atoms within a molecule (3 carbons and 8 hydrogens). The molar mass for carbon (C) is approximately 12.01 g/mol, and for hydrogen (H) is approximately 1.008 g/mol. Therefore, the molar mass of C3H8 is:

(3 × 12.01 g/mol) + (8 × 1.008 g/mol) = 44.097 g/mol

Now, we apply the formula:

Moles = 145 g / 44.097 g/mol = 3.29 moles

The answer closest to this value is option A) 3.45 moles. Thus, 3.45 moles of tricarbon octahydride can fit inside one of these cylinders.