Question

When copper wire is placed into a silver nitrate solution (AgNO3), silver crystals and copper(II) nitrate (Cu(NO3)2) solution form.Cu(s) + 2AgNO3 ⇨ 2Ag(s) + Cu(NO3)2If a 20.0-g sample of copper is used, determine the theoretical yield of silver in grams.

Answer 1

Step 1

The reaction involved here:

Cu(s) + 2AgNO3 ⇨ 2Ag(s) + Cu(NO3)2 (completed and balanced)

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Step 2

Information provided:

20.0 g of Cu

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Information needed:

The molar masses of:

Cu) 63.5 g/mol

Ag) 107.8 g/mol

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Step 3

Procedure:

By stoichiometry,

Cu(s) + 2AgNO3 ⇨ 2Ag(s) + Cu(NO3)2

63.5 g Cu --------- 2 x 107.8 g Ag

20.0 g Cu --------- X

X = 20.0 g Cu x 2 x 107.8 g Ag/63.5 g Cu

X = 67.9 g Ag

The theoretical yield = the amount of product predicted by stoichiometry is called the theoretical yield. Therefore, 67.9 g is the theoretical yield.

Answer: The theoretical yield = 67.9 g of Ag