FeCl3 + 3H2O → 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?

Answer 1

To find the total mass of the reactants for the given chemical reaction, we need to calculate the mass of each reactant based on the coefficients in the balanced chemical equation and their respective atomic masses.

The reaction is: \[ \text{FeCl}_3 + 3\text{H}_2\text{O} \]

Step 1: Determine the mass of each reactant

1. FeCl₃ (Iron(III) chloride):

   • Iron (Fe) = 1 atom × 56 amu = 56 amu
   • Chlorine (Cl) = 3 atoms × 35 amu = 3 × 35 = 105 amu
   • Total mass of FeCl₃ = 56 amu + 105 amu = 161 amu

2. 3H₂O (Water):

   • Each water molecule (H₂O) contains:
     • Hydrogen (H) = 2 atoms × 1 amu = 2 amu
     • Oxygen (O) = 1 atom × 16 amu = 16 amu
     • Total mass of 1 H₂O = 2 amu + 16 amu = 18 amu
   • For 3 H₂O:
     • Total mass = 3 × 18 amu = 54 amu

Step 2: Calculate the total mass of the reactants

Now, we add the total mass of FeCl₃ and the total mass of 3H₂O:

\[ \text{Total mass of reactants} = \text{Mass of FeCl}_3 + \text{Mass of } 3H_2O \] \[ \text{Total mass of reactants} = 161 , \text{amu} + 54 , \text{amu} = 215 , \text{amu} \]

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