Chapter 3.11, Problem 1PPC

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The mass of nitrogen dioxide required to produce the given amount of nitric acid is to be calculated.

Concept introduction:

In the process of manufacture of nitric acid through the reaction of nitrogen dioxide and water, the following reaction occurs:

$3{\text{NO}}_2\left(g\right)+{\text{H}}_2\text{O}\left(aq\right)\to {\text{2HNO}}_3\left(aq\right)+\text{NO}\left(g\right)$

The number of moles of a substance is given by the ratio of the weight of the substance in gm to the molar mass of that substance. The expression is as follows:

$\text{No}\text{. of moles of the substance}=\frac{\text{mass of the substance}\left(\text{in gm}\right)}{\text{Molar mass of the substance}\left(\text{in }\text{gm}/\text{mol}\right)}$

By comparing the number of moles of nitric acid and nitrogen dioxide, the number of moles of nitrogen dioxide can be discerned. Using the formula of the number of moles of nitrogen dioxide, the mass of nitrogen dioxide can be calculated.