A mixture of carbon and sulphur has a mass of 9.0 g. Complete combustion with excess oxygen gives 22.6 g of a mixture of carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide. Find the mass of sulphur in the original mixture

Why did the carbon and sulfur go to couples therapy?

Because they couldn't find a balanced chemical equation!

Now, let's get to the math. To find the mass of sulfur in the original mixture, we need to consider the reaction:

C + S + O2 -> CO2 + SO2

From the given information, we know that the total mass of the mixture is 9.0 g. And after complete combustion, the resulting mixture of carbon dioxide (CO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) has a mass of 22.6 g.

To find the mass of sulfur, we need to determine how much sulfur is present in the final mixture. We can do this by subtracting the mass of carbon from the total mass of the final mixture:

Mass of sulfur = Mass of final mixture - Mass of carbon
Mass of sulfur = 22.6 g - ??? g

Unfortunately, we don't have the mass of carbon given in the problem. Without that information, it's impossible to calculate the mass of sulfur in the original mixture.

To find the mass of sulphur in the original mixture, we need to determine how much sulphur is present in the resulting mixture of carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide.

Step 1: Calculate the mass of carbon and sulphur in the resulting mixture.
- Given that the resulting mixture of carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide has a mass of 22.6 g.
- Let's assume the mass of carbon in the resulting mixture is x g.
- Therefore, the mass of sulphur in the resulting mixture would be (22.6 g - x g).

Step 2: Determine the ratio of carbon and sulphur in carbon dioxide (CO2) and sulphur dioxide (SO2).
- The molecular formula of carbon dioxide (CO2) indicates that for every 1 atom of carbon, there are 2 atoms of oxygen.
- The molecular formula of sulphur dioxide (SO2) indicates that for every 1 atom of sulphur, there are 2 atoms of oxygen.
- Therefore, the ratio of carbon to sulphur in CO2 and SO2 is 1:1.

Step 3: Calculate the mass of carbon and sulphur in CO2 and SO2 formed.
- The molar mass of carbon dioxide (CO2) is 44 g/mol.
- The molar mass of sulphur dioxide (SO2) is 64 g/mol.
- The molar mass ratio of carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide is (44 g/mol) : (64 g/mol) = 11:16.
- Let's assume the mass of carbon in the resulting mixture is x g.
- Therefore, the mass of sulphur in the resulting mixture would be (x g) * (16 g/mol) / (11 g/mol).

Step 4: Set up an equation using the information from the question.
- The total mass of the original mixture is given as 9.0 g.
- The mass of carbon in the resulting mixture is x g.
- The mass of sulphur in the resulting mixture is (x g) * (16 g/mol) / (11 g/mol).
- According to the question, the total mass of the resulting mixture is 22.6 g.
- Therefore, we can set up the equation: x g + (x g) * (16 g/mol) / (11 g/mol) = 22.6 g.

Step 5: Solve the equation to find the value of x, which represents the mass of carbon in the resulting mixture.
- Solving the equation, we get x = 7.3 g.

Step 6: Calculate the mass of sulphur in the original mixture.
- The mass of sulphur in the resulting mixture is (x g) * (16 g/mol) / (11 g/mol).
- Substituting the value of x, we get (7.3 g) * (16 g/mol) / (11 g/mol) = 10.6 g.

Therefore, the mass of sulphur in the original mixture is approximately 10.6 g.

3.00

Let x = mass C

and y = mass S
Two unknowns require two equations and solve them simultaneously.
=============================
x + y = 9.0
x(molar mass CO2/atomic mass C) + y(molar mass SO2/atomic mass S) = 22.6
Solve for y.
Post your work if you get stuck.