Sodium reacts with chlorine to form the compound sodium chloride, or salt. The chemical formula below shows how the two elements combine into a compound.

Question

2Na + Cl2 -- 2NaCl
If the total mass of the reactants is 58.44 amu, what will be the total mass of the products?

1. 60 amu
2. 116.88 amu
3. 58.44 amu
4. 29.22 amu

Answer 1

The chemical equation provided shows that 2 moles of sodium (2Na) react with 1 mole of chlorine (Cl2) to form 2 moles of sodium chloride (2NaCl).

To calculate the total mass of the products, we need to determine the molar mass of sodium chloride (NaCl).

Sodium (Na) has a molar mass of 22.99 g/mol, and chlorine (Cl) has a molar mass of 35.45 g/mol.

Molar mass of NaCl = (molar mass of Na) + (molar mass of Cl)
= 22.99 g/mol + 35.45 g/mol
= 58.44 g/mol

Given that the total mass of the reactants is 58.44 amu, it means that the total mass of the products will be the same.

Therefore, the correct answer is option 3. 58.44 amu.