Calculating Mass of Oxygen from CuO and Cu

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the mass of oxygen from given masses of copper (II) oxide (CuO) and copper (Cu). Participants explore different approaches to the problem, clarify chemical identities, and express concerns about the experimental setup.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the masses of CuO and Cu and asks if subtracting the mass of Cu from CuO gives the mass of oxygen.
  • Another participant identifies a potential confusion between cuprous oxide (Cu2O) and cupric oxide (CuO), suggesting the need to clarify which compound is being used.
  • A participant expresses skepticism about the experimental method and the instructor's teaching, emphasizing the importance of understanding the procedure before conducting experiments.
  • Some participants assert that if CuO is reduced to Cu, the mass of oxygen can be calculated as the difference between the two masses.
  • Another participant suggests calculating the moles of CuO to find the mass of oxygen using the mole-mass equation, indicating a more systematic approach.
  • Concerns are raised about the completeness of the problem statement, questioning the relationship between the copper and CuO in the context of the experiment.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the correct approach to calculating the mass of oxygen, with some supporting the subtraction method and others advocating for a mole-based calculation. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best method and the clarity of the problem statement.

Contextual Notes

There are uncertainties regarding the definitions of the compounds involved and the specific experimental setup. The relationship between the masses of Cu and CuO is not clearly defined, leading to various interpretations of the problem.

termite
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Here's what I have:
Mass of CuO (copper (II) oxide) = 2.0g
Mass of Cu(metal) = 1.7065g

What I need to find is the mass of oxygen by using the two given above. Do I just do 2.0g-1.7065g=.2935 to get the mass of oxygen or do I do something else? :confused:
 
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termite said:
Here's what I have:
Mass of Cu2O (copper II oxide) = 2.0g
Mass of Cu(metal) = 1.7065g

What I need to find is the mass of oxygen by using the two given above. Do I just do 2.0g-1.7065g=.2935 to get the mass of oxygen or do I do something else? :confused:
I am bad at chemistry but is that the complete problem ? :bigsmile:
 
It is an experiment. Basically from the two numbers given I have to get the mass of oxygen.
 
Cuprous oxide (copper (I) oxide) is Cu20.
Cupric oxide (copper (II) oxide) is CuO.

You seem to have the two confused. You should start by figuring out which compound you're actually working with.

- Warren
 
Sorry for writing CuO incorrectly. Fixed in the initial post.
 
Your experiment won't get good results, or perhaps it will be zero after all, because you-I mean Y.O.U-don't exactly know much about this either..
What professor has taught you the way to get out the oxygen's mass by such a MINUSING ? That professor I think should go and teach gym than instruct his students such a terrible experiment.
I have seen by my eyes an explosion during an experiment of hidrogen and a student in that traggic accident was terribly injured in her two eyes and got blind then on only because of her stupid ****head professor's carelessness.

Sorry, I think you should CHECK out your papers one more time before making up your mind for this and any further testing/experiment.

Me-Motifs
 
If you started with 2.0g of CuO and performed a reaction to reduce it to plain Cu, the mass of oxygen is indeed just the difference in the two masses.

If you are submitting this to an online homework system, make sure you consider the significant figures in your answer.

- Warren
 
Motifs said:
What professor has taught you the way to get out the oxygen's mass by such a MINUSING ? That professor I think should go and teach gym than instruct his students such a terrible experiment...
Motifs,

I will respectfully ask that you not post here unless you are capable of staying on topic.

- Warren
 
chroot said:
Motifs,

I will respectfully ask that you not post here unless you are capable of staying on topic.

- Warren
I know you must be working really hard for your site,
I admittedly also get angry sometimes for "problems" that are brought about unexpectedly like that...
I am sorry, Okay ? :smallsmile:
Regards,too
 
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  • #10
termite said:
Here's what I have:
Mass of CuO (copper (II) oxide) = 2.0g
Mass of Cu(metal) = 1.7065g

What I need to find is the mass of oxygen by using the two given above. Do I just do 2.0g-1.7065g=.2935 to get the mass of oxygen or do I do something else? :confused:

This question is definitely incomplete. If this is a question from a book or homework, post it exactly as stated.

There is no indication here what the relationship between the copper and the CuO is.

Is the copper got from the reduction of the oxide, or is the oxide made from the copper, or is there something else happening here ?
 
  • #11
Hello,

The reaction should be like that: Cu~+~ \frac {1}{2} O_2 \xrightarrow {heat} CuO

So you should first calculate how many moles are there in 2.0 grams of cupric oxide, and learn the mass of oxygen gas from there by using mole-mass equation.

The other mass data about copper may be used to check the calculations, or be used in detecting any impurities of either oxygen gas or copper.
 
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