Question

Suppose an unknown compound XY has an X-to-Y mass ratio of 4.0 (X/Y = 4). If decomposition of compound XY gives 12.0 grams of X, then how many grams of Y must form?

Answer 1

To find the mass of Y that forms when 12.0 grams of X decompose from compound XY with an X-to-Y mass ratio of 4.0, we divide the mass of X by the ratio, resulting in 3.0 grams of Y.

Step-by-step explanation:

If an unknown compound XY has an X-to-Y mass ratio of 4.0, and the decomposition of compound XY gives 12.0 grams of X, then we can determine the mass of Y that must form based on this ratio. Since X/Y = 4, for every 4 grams of X, there must be 1 gram of Y.

To find the mass of Y when 12 grams of X are produced, we divide the mass of X by the given ratio:

• Mass of Y = (Mass of X) / (X/Y mass ratio)
• Mass of Y = 12.0 grams / 4
• Mass of Y = 3.0 grams

Therefore, 3.0 grams of Y would form.