Question

How much mercury and oxygen could be obtained from 21.7g of mercury (II) oxide

Answer 1

20.06 g of Hg  and 1.6 g of O₂

Explanation:

To Find:

Number of Mercury and oxygen that can be obtained from 21.7 g of HgO

First we have to write the balanced equation for the decomposition reaction of Mercury(II) oxide as,

2 HgO (s) → 2Hg(l) + O₂ (g)

21.7 g of HgO  = $\frac{21.7 g}{216.59 g / mol}$  

                         = 0.1 mol of HgO.

As per the above equation, we can find the mole ratio between HgO and Hg is 1: 1 and that of HgO and oxygen is 2:1 .

So amount of Hg produced = 0.1 mol × 200.59 g / mol ( molar mass of Hg)

                                                 = 20.06 g of Hg

Amount of oxygen produced = 0.05  mol × 32 g/ mol = 1.6 g of O₂

Thus it is clear that 20.06 g of Hg  and 1.6 g of O₂  is obtained from 21.7 g of HgO