Question

Be sure to answer all parts. The percent by mass of bicarbonate (HCO3−) in a certain Alka-Seltzer product is 32.5 percent. Calculate the volume of CO2 generated (in mL) at 37°C and 1.00 atm if a person were to accidentally ingest a 3.79-g tablet without following instructions. (Hint: The reaction occurs between HCO3− and HCl acid in the stomach.)

Answer 1

Answer : The volume of $CO_2$ will be, 514.11 ml

Explanation :

The balanced chemical reaction will be,

$HCO_3^-+HCl\rightarrow Cl^-+H_2O+CO_2$

First we have to calculate the  mass of $HCO_3^-$ in tablet.

$\text{Mass of }HCO_3^-\text{ in tablet}=32.5\% \times 3.79g=\frac{32.5}{100}\times 3.79g=1.23175g$

Now we have to calculate the moles of $HCO_3^-$.

Molar mass of $HCO_3^-$ = 1 + 12 + 3(16) = 61 g/mole

$\text{Moles of }HCO_3^-=\frac{\text{Mass of }HCO_3^-}{\text{Molar mass of }HCO_3^-}=\frac{1.23175g}{61g/mole}=0.0202moles$

Now we have to calculate the moles of $CO_2$.

From the balanced chemical reaction, we conclude that

As, 1 mole of $HCO_3^-$ react to give 1 mole of $CO_2$

So, 0.0202 mole of $HCO_3^-$ react to give 0.0202 mole of $CO_2$

The moles of $CO_2$ = 0.0202 mole

Now we have to calculate the volume of $CO_2$ by using ideal gas equation.

$PV=nRT$

where,

P = pressure of gas = 1.00 atm

V = volume of gas = ?

T = temperature of gas = $37^oC=273+37=310K$

n = number of moles of gas = 0.0202 mole

R = gas constant = 0.0821 L.atm/mole.K

Now put all the given values in the ideal gas equation, we get :

$(1.00atm)\times V=0.0202 mole\times (0.0821L.atm/mole.K)\times (310K)$

$V=0.51411L=514.11ml$

Therefore, the volume of $CO_2$ will be, 514.11 ml