To analyze the reaction given by the equation \( 2 \text{Cu} + \text{S} \rightarrow \text{Cu}_2\text{S} \), we can determine how much reactants (copper and sulfur) are involved and how they relate to the product (copper sulfide) produced.
Given Data
- Mass of copper (Cu) = 12.7 grams
Molar Mass Calculations
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Calculate the molar mass of copper (Cu):
- Molar mass of Cu = 63.55 g/mol
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Calculate the molar mass of sulfur (S):
- Molar mass of S = 32.07 g/mol
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Calculate the molar mass of copper sulfide (Cu2S):
- Molar mass of Cu2S = (2 × 63.55) + 32.07 = 127.10 + 32.07 = 159.17 g/mol
Convert grams of copper to moles
Using the formula: \[ \text{moles} = \frac{\text{mass}}{\text{molar mass}} \]
Calculate moles of Cu: \[ \text{moles of Cu} = \frac{12.7 \text{ g}}{63.55 \text{ g/mol}} \approx 0.200 \text{ moles Cu} \]
Determine the stoichiometry
The balanced equation shows that:
- 2 moles of Cu react with 1 mole of S to produce 1 mole of Cu2S.
From the balanced equation:
- \( 2 \text{ moles Cu} : 1 \text{ mole S} : 1 \text{ mole Cu}_2\text{S} \)
Determine moles of sulfur needed
To find the moles of sulfur (S) needed for the reaction with 0.200 moles of copper: \[ \text{moles of S} = \frac{0.200 \text{ moles Cu}}{2} = 0.100 \text{ moles S} \]
Convert moles of sulfur to grams
Calculate the grams of sulfur needed: \[ \text{mass of S} = \text{moles of S} \times \text{molar mass of S} = 0.100 \text{ moles} \times 32.07 \text{ g/mol} \approx 3.21 \text{ g} \]
Final Results
The scientist would need:
- 3.21 grams of sulfur (S) to react completely with 12.7 grams of copper (Cu).
This would produce:
- 0.100 moles of Cu2S, which corresponds to approximately 15.87 grams of Cu2S.