Question

The reaction between potassium superoxide, KO₂, and CO₂,


`4KO_2+2CO_2 \rightarrow 2K_2CO_3+3O_2`
is used as a source of O₂ and absorber of CO₂ in self-contained breathing equipment used by rescue workers.
How many moles of O₂ are produced when 0.300 mol of KO₂ reacts in this fashion?

Answer 1

• 0.225 mol O₂

Step-by-step explanation:

1. Balanced chemcical reaction (given):

• 4KO₂ + 2CO₂ → 2K₂CO₃ + 3O₂

2. Mole ratio

Use the coefficients from the balanced chemical equation to form the mole ratio of O₂ to KO₂:

`(3molO_2)/(4molKO_2)`

3. How many moles of O₂ are produced when 0.300 mol of KO₂ reacts in this fashion?

Mutiply 0.300 mol of KO₂ by the mole ratio:

`0.300molKO_2* 3molO_2/4molKO_2=0.225 molO_2`