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MDCAT
Chemistry
2023

Chemistry · Stoichiometry

Work through this past-paper style MCQ, then read the full explanation. Practice more chemistry questions on mMCQ with adaptive practice and topic analytics.

Question

What is the weight of oxygen that required for the complete combustion of 3.2 kg of methane?

Options
  • A

    3.2 kg

  • B

    6.4 kg

  • C

    12.8 kg

  • D

    15.4 kg

Explanation

12.8 kg: This is the correct answer. Understanding the Chemical Reaction The complete combustion of methane (CH₄) with oxygen (O₂) produces carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O). The balanced chemical equation is: CH₄ + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O This equation tells us that 1 mole of methane reacts with 2 moles of oxygen. 

Calculations

Molar Mass:

Methane (CH₄): (12.01 g/mol) + 4(1.008 g/mol) ≈ 16.04 g/mol  

Oxygen (O₂): 2(16.00 g/mol) = 32.00 g/mol

Moles of Methane:

Convert the mass of methane to grams: 3.2 kg * 1000 g/kg = 3200 g

Calculate the moles of methane: 3200 g / 16.04 g/mol ≈ 199.5 moles

Moles of Oxygen:

From the balanced equation, 2 moles of oxygen are required for every 1 mole of methane.

Moles of oxygen: 199.5 moles * 2 = 399 moles

Mass of Oxygen:

Calculate the mass of oxygen: 399 moles * 32.00 g/mol = 12768 g

Convert grams to Kilograms: 12768g / 1000g/kg = 12.768 kg.

3.2 kg: This is incorrect. It's simply the mass of methane, and doesn't account for the stoichiometry of the reaction.

6.4 kg: This is incorrect. It represents double the mass of methane, but doesn't correctly apply the molar mass of oxygen or the 2:1 ratio from the balanced chemical equation.

12.8 kg: This is the correct answer. Understanding the Chemical Reaction The complete combustion of methane (CH₄) with oxygen (O₂) produces carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O). The balanced chemical equation is: CH₄ + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O This equation tells us that 1 mole of methane reacts with 2 moles of oxygen. 

Calculations

Molar Mass:

Methane (CH₄): (12.01 g/mol) + 4(1.008 g/mol) ≈ 16.04 g/mol  

Oxygen (O₂): 2(16.00 g/mol) = 32.00 g/mol

Moles of Methane:

Convert the mass of methane to grams: 3.2 kg * 1000 g/kg = 3200 g

Calculate the moles of methane: 3200 g / 16.04 g/mol ≈ 199.5 moles

Moles of Oxygen:

From the balanced equation, 2 moles of oxygen are required for every 1 mole of methane.

Moles of oxygen: 199.5 moles * 2 = 399 moles

Mass of Oxygen:

Calculate the mass of oxygen: 399 moles * 32.00 g/mol = 12768 g

Convert grams to Kilograms: 12768g / 1000g/kg = 12.768 kg.

15.4 kg: This is incorrect. It's a higher value than the calculated amount, and doesn't reflect the correct stoichiometric relationship.

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Tagged under Chemistry · Stoichiometry · 2023