Question

1. The space shuttle used two solid rocket boosters to launch it into space. The reaction that occurred is

written below:

NH4ClO4(s) + Al(s) --> NO(g) + Al2O3(s) + H2O(g) + AlCl3(g)

A. Balance the reaction and rewrite.
B. How many grams of aluminum would be needed to react with 56 kg of ammonium
perchlorate?
C. If 67 grams of ammonium perchlorate were to react with 10 grams of aluminum:
a. Which material would be the limiting reactant?
b. What would be the theoretical yield of nitrogen monoxide?
D. Was the aluminum oxidized or reduced in the reaction?
Show work

Answer 1

The balanced chemical equation for the reaction is 6NH4ClO4(s) + 10Al(s) → 2Al2O3(s) + 6H2O(g) + 5AlCl3(g) + 3N2(g). To calculate the grams of aluminum needed to react with 56 kg of ammonium perchlorate, we can use the stoichiometry of the balanced equation. The aluminum is oxidized in the reaction.

Step-by-step explanation:

The balanced chemical equation for the reaction is:

6NH4ClO4(s) + 10Al(s) → 2Al2O3(s) + 6H2O(g) + 5AlCl3(g) + 3N2(g)

B. To calculate the grams of aluminum needed to react with 56 kg of ammonium perchlorate, we can use the stoichiometry of the balanced equation. The molar mass of ammonium perchlorate is 117.49 g/mol, so 56 kg is equal to 56,000 g.

C. a. To determine the limiting reactant, we compare the moles of ammonium perchlorate and aluminum. The molar mass of ammonium perchlorate is 117.49 g/mol and the molar mass of aluminum is 26.98 g/mol.

b. The theoretical yield of nitrogen monoxide can be calculated by using the stoichiometry of the balanced equation and the moles of the limiting reactant.

D. In the reaction, aluminum is oxidized to form aluminum oxide (Al2O3). Therefore, aluminum is the reducing agent and is oxidized.