Potassium superoxide, KO2, is used for producing oxygen and removing carbon dioxide in selfcontained
breathing units, space shuttles, and other enclosed spaces. First the potassium superoxide reacts with
moisture to release oxygen and produce potassium hydroxide. Then the potassium hydroxide reacts with carbon
dioxide to produce potassium carbonate. The equations are:
4 KO2 (s) + 2 H2O (g) → 4 KOH (s) + 3 O2 (g)
2 KOH (s) + CO2 (g) → K2CO3 (s) + H2O (l)
What mass of CO2 (in kg) can be absorbed by 1.80 kg of KO2?