Answer to Question #195562 in General Chemistry for Mthandeni Ntshilib

Question

Calcium carbide, CaC2, is an important preliminary chemical for industries producing synthetic fabrics and plastics. CaC2 may be produced by heating calcium oxide with coke: CaO + 3C → CaC2 + CO.

In a reaction, 1.5kg of carbon was reacted with calcium oxide and calcium carbide was produced. calculate the percent yield of calcium carbide.

Answer 1

Moles of Carbon = 1500g/12g = 125 mol

When 3 mole of C react with 1 mole of CaO

Moles of CaO = 125mol/3 = 41.66 mol

Mass of CaO = 41.66 × 56.077 = 2336.16 = Actual yield

Similarly moles of CaC₂ = 41.66 mol

Mass of CaC₂ = 41.66 × 64.099 = 2670.36 g = theoretical yield

Percentage yield = $\frac{Actual yield}{theoretical yield} ×100$

Percentage yield = $\frac{2336.16}{2670.36} ×100$ = 87.4%