At high temperatures, calcium carbonate (CaCO3) decomposes to form calcium oxide (CaO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) gas. The average
mass of 1 calcium oxide molecule is 56.079 amu, and the average mass of 1 carbon dioxide molecule is 44.009 amu. CaCO3 CaO + CO2
Which is the total mass of the 1 calcium carbonate molecule?
A. 12.070 amu
B. 44.009 amu
C. 56.079 amu
D. 100.088 amu
The individual mass of reactants in the reaction are
Calcium Oxide (CaO) = amu
Carbon dioxide (CO2) amu
Since this reaction is a simple addition reaction in which no mass of the reactants is wasted. Also, no energy is released accompanied by conversion of mass into energy.
Hence, total mass of reactants would be equal to the mass of the product.
