Question

Trace amounts of sulfur (S) in coal are burned in the presence of diatomic oxygen (O2) to form sulfur dioxide (SO2). Determine the minimum mass of oxygen required in the reactants and the mass of sulfur dioxide in the products when 1 kg of sulfur is burned.

Answer 1

0.99 kg O₂

1.9 kg SO₂

Step-by-step explanation:

Let's consider the reaction between sulfur and oxygen to form sulfur dioxide.

S + O₂ → SO₂

The mass ratio of S to O₂ is 32.07:32.00. The mass of oxygen required to react with 1 kg of sulfur is:

1 kg S × (32.00 kg O₂/32.07 kg S) = 0.998 kg O₂

The mass ratio of S to SO₂ is 32.07:64.07. The mass of sulfur dioxide formed when 1 kg of sulfur is burned is:

1 kg S × (64.07 kg SO₂/32.07 kg S) = 1.99 kg SO₂