Question

A mass of 50g of calcium carbonate is heated, releasing carbon dioxide and calcium oxide. Which of these recorded masses of products is possible, according to the Law ofConservation of Mass?

Answer 1

According to the reaction:

CaCO₃ = CO₂ + CaO

From here the mass of carbon dioxide and calcium oxide produced in the reaction are:

m(CO₂) = m(CaCO₃) × Mr(CO₂) / Mr(CaCO₃) = 50 g × 44 g/mol / 100 g/mol = 22 g

m(CaO) = m(CaCO₃) × Mr(CaO) / Mr(CaCO₃) = 50 g × 56 g/mol / 100 g/mol = 28 g

Answer: 22 g and 28 g