Use the equation and the table to answer the question.

FeCl^3 + 3H^2O → Fe(OH)^3 + 3HCl

Element Mass of an Atom (amu)
Fe 56
Cl 35
H 1
O 16
Iron chloride and water react according to the equation shown. The table shows the atomic masses of the elements involved in the reaction. What is the total mass of the reactants?

(1 point)
Responses

161 amu
161 amu

108 amu
108 amu

179 amu
179 amu

215 amu
215 amu

1 answer

To find the total mass of the reactants in the reaction:

\[ \text{FeCl}_3 + 3\text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{Fe(OH)}_3 + 3\text{HCl} \]

we need to calculate the mass of each reactant:

  1. Mass of FeCl₃:

    • Fe = 56 amu
    • Cl = 35 amu (there are 3 Cl atoms, so multiply by 3)
    • Total mass of FeCl₃ = Mass of Fe + (3 × Mass of Cl)
    • = 56 + (3 × 35)
    • = 56 + 105
    • = 161 amu
  2. Mass of 3H₂O:

    • H = 1 amu (there are 2 H atoms in water, so multiply by 2)
    • O = 16 amu (there is 1 O atom)
    • Mass of H₂O = (2 × Mass of H) + Mass of O
    • = (2 × 1) + 16
    • = 2 + 16
    • = 18 amu
    • Therefore, for 3 H₂O: 3 × 18 = 54 amu

Now, combine the masses of both reactants:

\[ \text{Total mass of reactants} = \text{mass of FeCl}_3 + \text{mass of 3H}_2\text{O} \] \[ = 161 , \text{amu} + 54 , \text{amu} = 215 , \text{amu} \]

Thus, the total mass of the reactants is 215 amu.

So the correct response is: 215 amu.