Question

Lead can be obtained by heating its oxide with carbon. The balanced equation for the reaction is (2PbO + C → 2Pb + CO₂). Calculate the atom economy for the production of lead in this reaction. (Relative atomic masses: (C = 12), (O = 16), (Pb = 207); Relative formula masses: (PbO = 223), (CO₂ = 44)) Give your answer to two significant figures.

a) 87%
b) 66%
c) 55%
d) 34%

Answer 1

The atom economy for the production of lead in this reaction is 87%.

Step-by-step explanation:

The atom economy of a chemical reaction is a measure of the efficiency of the reaction by calculating the percentage of the total starting materials that end up as useful products.

In this case, the atom economy can be calculated using the formula:

Atom Economy = (Molar mass of desired product / Sum of molar masses of all reactants) * 100

The molar mass of the desired product, lead (Pb), is 207 g/mol. The molar mass of the reactants, lead oxide (PbO) and carbon (C), are 223 g/mol and 12 g/mol, respectively.

Using these values, we can plug them into the formula:

Atom Economy = (207 / (223 + 12)) * 100 = 87%

Therefore, the atom economy for the production of lead in this reaction is 87%.