Question

Use the equation and the table to answer the question.

FeCl3 + 3H2O → Fe(OH)3 + 3HCl

Atomic Masses of Elements
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

215 amu
215 amu

179 amu
179 amu

161 amu
161 amu

108 amu

Answer 1

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

\[ \text{FeCl}_3 + 3 \text{H}_2\text{O} \]

we need to find the mass of each compound.

1. **Calculate the mass of FeCl₃:**
- Fe = 56 amu
- Cl = 35 amu (there are 3 Cl atoms in FeCl₃)
\[
\text{Mass of FeCl}_3 = 56 + (3 \times 35) = 56 + 105 = 161 \text{ amu}
\]

2. **Calculate the mass of 3H₂O:**
- H = 1 amu (there are 2 H atoms in each H₂O, and there are 3 H₂O molecules)
- O = 16 amu (there is 1 O atom in each H₂O)
\[
\text{Mass of each H}_2\text{O} = (2 \times 1) + 16 = 2 + 16 = 18 \text{ amu}
\]
\[
\text{Mass of } 3 \text{H}_2\text{O} = 3 \times 18 = 54 \text{ amu}
\]

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

Therefore, the total mass of the reactants is **215 amu**. The correct response is:

**215 amu**