To calculate the total mass of the reactants in the given reaction, we need to identify the masses of each component based on the balanced equation. The reactants are FeCl (iron(III) chloride) and water (H₂O).
1. Determine the Molecular Mass of Iron(III) Chloride (FeCl₃):
- Iron (Fe): 1 atom × 56 amu = 56 amu
- Chlorine (Cl): 3 atoms × 35 amu = 105 amu
Total mass of FeCl₃: \[ 56 , \text{amu} + 105 , \text{amu} = 161 , \text{amu} \]
2. Determine the Molecular Mass of Water (H₂O):
- Hydrogen (H): 2 atoms × 1 amu = 2 amu
- Oxygen (O): 1 atom × 16 amu = 16 amu
Total mass of H₂O: \[ 2 , \text{amu} + 16 , \text{amu} = 18 , \text{amu} \]
3. Now, combine the mass of FeCl₃ and the mass of H₂O:
- Total mass of reactants = mass of FeCl₃ + mass of 3 H₂O
Since the reaction specifies 3 water molecules, we multiply the mass of H₂O by 3: \[ 3 \times 18 , \text{amu} = 54 , \text{amu} \]
So, the total mass of the reactants is: \[ 161 , \text{amu} + 54 , \text{amu} = 215 , \text{amu} \]
Therefore, the total mass of the reactants is 215 amu.