Question

Solid bismuth oxide can react with carbon to form bismuth metal and carbon monoxide. How many grams of bismuth oxide reacted if 60.7 grams of bismuth is formed?

Answer 1

The answer is `67.6` `g`.

First, start with the balanced chemical equation

`Bi_2O_(3(s)) + 3C_((s)) -> 2Bi_((s)) + 3CO_((g))`

We know the molar masses of `Bi` (`209g/(mol)`) and `Bi_2O_3` (`466g/(mol)`), and the mole-to-mole ratio between `Bi` and `Bi_2O_3`, so we could say that

`60.7gBi* (1 mol e Bi)/(209g) * (1 mol e Bi_2O_3)/(2 mol es Bi) * (466g)/(1 mol e Bi_2O_3) = 67.6g Bi_2O_3`