Chapter 5: Problem 8
Gold metal reacts with a combination of nitric acid and hydrochloric acid according to this equation: $$ \mathrm{Au}(\mathrm{s})+3 \mathrm{HNO}_{3}(\mathrm{aq})+4 \mathrm{HCl}(\mathrm{aq}) \rightarrow \mathrm{HAuCl}_{4}(\mathrm{aq})+3 \mathrm{NO}_{2}(\mathrm{~g})+3 \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(\ell) $$ a. Verify that this equation is balanced. b. How many Au atoms react with 639 molecules of aqueous \(\mathrm{HNO}_{3}\) ?
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Counting Atoms on the Reactants Side
Counting Atoms on the Products Side
Matching Atom Counts to Verify Balance
Calculating Mole Ratio to Solve the Question
Solving for Gold Atoms Required
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Balancing Equations
- We start by listing all atoms involved: Au, H, N, O, and Cl.
- On the reactant side, the equation provides a breakdown: 1 Au, 3 N (from 3 x HNO₃), 9 O (from 3 x HNO₃), 4 H (from 4 x HCl), and 4 Cl (from 4 x HCl).
- For the products: 1 Au (in HAuClâ‚„), 3 N (in 3 x NOâ‚‚), 6 O (2 per NOâ‚‚) plus 3 O in 3 x Hâ‚‚O, and finally, 6 H (from 3 x Hâ‚‚O), and 4 Cl (in HAuClâ‚„).
Atom Counting
- Start by identifying each molecule on both reactant and product sides.
- Break each compound into its atomic components. For example, HNO₃ splits into H, N, and three O atoms.
- Repeat for each species, considering stoichiometric coefficients (numbers before molecules) as multipliers for the atom count.
Mole Ratios
- The balanced equation tells us exactly how many moles of one substance are needed to react completely with a certain number of moles of another.
- In this example, the mole ratio of Au to \(\text{HNO}_3\) is 1:3, derived directly from the balanced equation.
Stoichiometry
- Begin with the given quantity, here 639 molecules of \(\text{HNO}_3\).
- Use the established mole ratio: for every 3 molecules of \(\text{HNO}_3\), 1 Au atom reacts.
- Calculate the result: dividing 639 by 3 yields 213, indicating 213 Au atoms are needed.