Chapter 5, Problem 5.107QP

Some commercial drain cleaners contain a mixture of sodium hydroxide and aluminum powder. When the mixture is poured down a clogged drain, the following reaction occurs:

$\begin{array}{l}2\text{NaOH}(aq)+2\text{Al}(s)+6{\text{H}}_2\text{O}(l)\stackrel{}{\to }\hfill \\ 2\text{NaAl}{(\text{OH})}_4(aq)+3{\text{H}}_2(g)\hfill \end{array}$

The heat generated in this reaction helps melt away obstructions such as grease, and the hydrogen gas released stirs up the solids clogging the drain. Calculate the volume of H₂ formed at 23°C and 1.00 atm if 3.12 g of Al are treated with an excess of NaOH.