Question

Please help me understand this science equation

During an investigation, a scientist heated 2.76 g of silver carbonate till it decomposed to leave a silver residue. The total mass of the silver residue formed was 2.16 g. Does the law of conservation of mass hold true in this case? Use complete sentences to justify your answer based on numerical calculations.

Answer 1

The equation that shows the decomposition of silver carbonate are;

2Ag2CO3 ---------> 4Ag + 2CO2 + O2

From the periodic table:

Mass of silver = 107.8682 grams

Mass of carbon = 12 grams

Mass of oxygen = 16 grams

Molar mass of Ag2CO3 = 2(107.8682) + 12 + 3(16) = 275.7364 grams

From the balanced equation above:

2(275.7362) = 551.4728 grams of Ag2CO3 produces 4(107.8682) = 431.4728 grams of Ag

Thus, in order to know the mass of Ag produced from 2.76 grams of Ag2CO3, we'll use the cross multiplication method;

Mass of Ag produced = (2.76 × 431.4728) / (551.4728) = 2.16 grams

Based on the calculations demonstrated above, the law of conservation of mass is applied.

I hope this helps