What is the balanced chemical equation for the decomposition of calcium carbonate and how much CO2 is produced when 150g of CaCO3 decomposes?

1 answer

The balanced chemical equation for the decomposition of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) is as follows:

\[ \text{CaCO}_3 (s) \rightarrow \text{CaO} (s) + \text{CO}_2 (g) \]

This equation indicates that one mole of calcium carbonate decomposes to produce one mole of calcium oxide (CaO) and one mole of carbon dioxide (CO₂).

To calculate the amount of CO₂ produced from the decomposition of 150 g of CaCO₃, follow these steps:

  1. Calculate the molar mass of CaCO₃:

    • Calcium (Ca): 40.08 g/mol
    • Carbon (C): 12.01 g/mol
    • Oxygen (O): 16.00 g/mol × 3 = 48.00 g/mol
    • Total molar mass of CaCO₃ = 40.08 + 12.01 + 48.00 = 100.09 g/mol
  2. Convert grams of CaCO₃ to moles: \[ \text{Moles of CaCO}_3 = \frac{150 , \text{g}}{100.09 , \text{g/mol}} \approx 1.499 , \text{moles} \]

  3. Determine the moles of CO₂ produced: From the balanced equation, 1 mole of CaCO₃ produces 1 mole of CO₂. Therefore, the moles of CO₂ produced will also be approximately 1.499 moles.

  4. Calculate the mass of CO₂ produced:

    • Molar mass of CO₂:
      • Carbon (C): 12.01 g/mol
      • Oxygen (O): 16.00 g/mol × 2 = 32.00 g/mol
      • Total molar mass of CO₂ = 12.01 + 32.00 = 44.01 g/mol

    Using the moles of CO₂ to calculate mass: \[ \text{Mass of CO}_2 = \text{moles of CO}_2 \times \text{molar mass of CO}_2 \] \[ \text{Mass of CO}_2 = 1.499 , \text{moles} \times 44.01 , \text{g/mol} \approx 65.96 , \text{g} \]

Therefore, when 150 g of CaCO₃ decomposes, it produces approximately 66.0 g of CO₂.