Question

many cars are fitted with airbags which inflate in an accident. Airbags contain solid sodium azide, NaN₃, which decomposes rapidly to form sodium and nitrogen. The nitrogen formed fills the air bags. Can someone please solve part b and c. I'll mark brainliest to whoever gets it right!

Answer 1

The initial balanced equation of decomposition is:

2NaN3 —> 2Na + 3N2

Since 1 mole of a gas occupies 24dm^3 at room temperature and pressure:

72dm^3 / 24dm^3 = 3 moles of Nitrogen which required 2 moles of Sodium Azide.

Since moles = mass/Relative molecular mass or molar mass

2 moles x 65~ g/mol = 130g

For the empirical formula:

Element H N
% Mass 2.33% 97.7%
Mass/Mr 2.33 6.97
2.33 7~

Divide by lowest number

1 3

Therefore empirical formula is

H1N3