Automakers are always investigating alternative reactions for the generation of

Question

Automakers are always investigating alternative reactions for the generation of gas to inflate air bags, in part because the sodium produced in the decomposition of NaN3 presents safety concerns. One system that has been considered is the oxidation of graphite by strontium nitrate, Sr(NO3)2, as shown in the equation below.

5C(s) + 2Sr(NO3)2(s) 2SrO(s) + 2N2(g) + 5CO2(g)

Suppose that a system is being designed using this reaction, and the goal is to generate enough gas to inflate a bag to 63 L and 1.2 atm at 23°C. What is the minimum mass of graphite that should be used in the design of this system?

Explanation / Answer

moles of gas required be n
use:
P*V = n*R*T
1.2*63 = n*0.0821*(23 + 273)
n = 3.111 mol

5 mol of C gives, 7 mol of gas
so,
moles of C required = (5/7)*3.111 mol
=2.20881mol

Molar mass of C is 12 g/mol
mass = number of moles * molar mass
= 2.20881*12
=26.50 g
Answer: 26.5

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