Question

How many moles of KOH are required to produce 4.79 g K3PO4 according to the following reaction? 3KOH + H3PO4 -----> K3PO4 + 3H2O

Answer 1

Answer:

0.677 moles

Explanation:

Take the atomic mass of K = 39.1, O =16.0, P = 31.0

no. of moles = mass / molar mass

no. of moles of K3PO4 used = 4.79 / (39.1x3 + 31 + 16x4)

= 0.02256 mol

From the equation, the mole ratio of KOH : K3PO4 = 3 :1,

meaning every 3 moles of KOH used, produces 1 mole of K3PO4.

So, using this ratio, let the no. of moles of KOH required to be y.

$\frac{3}{1} =\frac{y}{0.02256}$

y = 0.02256 x3

y = 0.0677 mol

If you don't find exactly 0.677 moles as one of the options, go for the closest one. A very slight error may occur because of taking different significant figures of atomic masses when calculating.