Question

2. Sodium Bicarbonate decomposes when heated to form sodium carbonate, water, and

carbon dioxide gas. If 1.8 moles of carbon dioxide are produced, how many moles of
sodium bicarbonate were decomposed?

Answer 1

3.6 moles of sodium bicarbonate were decomposed.

Step-by-step explanation:

The decomposition of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) to form sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃), water, and carbon dioxide gas can be represented by the following balanced chemical equation:

`\displaystyle 2\text{NaHCO$_3$}_\text{(s)} \longrightarrow \text{Na$_2$CO$_3$} + \text{H$_2$O}_\text{($\ell$)} + \text{CO$_2$}_{\text{(g)}}`

We want to determine the amount of sodium bicarbonate decomposed when 1.8 moles of carbon dioxde is produced.

From the equation, we can see that the mole ratio between carbon dioxide and sodium bicarbonate is 1:2. That is, there is one mole of carbon dioxide produced for every two moles of sodium bicarbonate.

Therefore:

`\displaystyle 1.8\text{ mol CO$_2$} \cdot \frac{2\text{ mol NaHCO$_3$}}{1\text{ mol CO$_2$}} = 3.6\text{ NaHCO$_3$}`

In conclusion, 3.6 moles of sodium bicarbonate were decomposed.