Calculating Volume & Mass of Neutralizing Agents

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the volume and mass of neutralizing agents for an accidental release of 50 kg of pure sulfuric acid into a lake. Participants explore two methods for neutralization: using a 5 M sodium hydroxide solution and powdered calcium carbonate. The focus is on the calculations involved in determining the required amounts of these agents.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant calculates the moles of sulfuric acid in 50 kg, arriving at approximately 510.2 moles.
  • It is noted that 1020 moles of sodium hydroxide are required to neutralize the sulfuric acid based on the reaction stoichiometry.
  • Another participant expresses uncertainty about how to calculate the volume of 5 M NaOH needed, prompting a suggestion to use the formula for molarity.
  • A later reply provides a calculation for the volume of 5 M NaOH, resulting in 204 dm³, but questions about the units used in the calculation are raised.
  • For the second method, participants discuss the calculation of the mass of calcium carbonate needed, with one participant stating that 51 kg of CaCO3 is required based on the moles of sulfuric acid.
  • Another participant suggests calculating the number of moles of CaCO3 needed for neutralization and then finding the corresponding mass.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the stoichiometry of the reactions involved and the calculations for moles of sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide. However, there is uncertainty regarding the calculation of volume and the use of units, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved in some aspects.

Contextual Notes

Some calculations lack clarity regarding the use of units, particularly in the context of molarity and volume. There are also unresolved questions about the appropriateness of the methods used for calculating the required amounts of neutralizing agents.

Janka
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Hello people...could u help me pls...coz i am rly stuck in these thing like calculations...i know all right answers but i am not too sure how to get them...please if somebody of us has a few minutes could u help me with that?
Thank you very much.


50 kg of pure sulphuric acid were accidentally released into a lake when a storage vessel leaked.Two methods were proposed to neutralise it.

(a) The first proposal was to add a solution of 5 M NaOH to the lake.
Sodium hydroxide reacts with sulphuric acid as follows:

2NaOH (aq) + H2SO4(aq) ---> Na2SO4 (aq) + 2H2O (l)

Calculate the volume of 5 M NaOH required to neutralise the sulphuric acid by answering the following questions.

(i) How many moles of sulphuric acid are there in 50 kg of the acid?

H2SO4 = 2+32+ 16+16+16+16= 98 g mol-1

50 kg = 50 000g / 98 = 510.2 moles


(ii) how many moles of sodium hydroxide are required to neutralise this acid?

510 x 2 = 1020 moles

(iii) Calculate the volume , in dm3 , of 5 M NaOH which contains this number
of moles.

well..here i don't know what to do :(

(b) The second proposal was to add powdered calcium carbonate which
reacts as follows:
CaCO3 (s) + H2SO4 (aq) ---> CaSO4(s) + H2O(l) +CO2(g)

Calculate the mass of calcium carbonate required to neutralise 50 kg of sulphuric acid.

no.of moles in 50 kg of H2SO4 = 510 moles

CaCO3 = 40+12+(16x3) =100 g mol-1

510 x 100 = 51 000 g = 51 kg.
 
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Janka said:
Hello people...could u help me pls...coz i am rly stuck in these thing like calculations...i know all right answers but i am not too sure how to get them...please if somebody of us has a few minutes could u help me with that?
Thank you very much.


50 kg of pure sulphuric acid were accidentally released into a lake when a storage vessel leaked.Two methods were proposed to neutralise it.

(a) The first proposal was to add a solution of 5 M NaOH to the lake.
Sodium hydroxide reacts with sulphuric acid as follows:

2NaOH (aq) + H2SO4(aq) ---> Na2SO4 (aq) + 2H2O (l)

Calculate the volume of 5 M NaOH required to neutralise the sulphuric acid by answering the following questions.

(i) How many moles of sulphuric acid are there in 50 kg of the acid?

H2SO4 = 2+32+ 16+16+16+16= 98 g mol-1

50 kg = 50 000g / 98 = 510.2 moles


(ii) how many moles of sodium hydroxide are required to neutralise this acid?

510 x 2 = 1020 moles

(iii) Calculate the volume , in dm3 , of 5 M NaOH which contains this number
of moles.

well..here i don't know what to do :(

You should, somewhere, have a formula: molarity=(number of moles) /(volume of solution). This will be useful here.

(b) The second proposal was to add powdered calcium carbonate which
reacts as follows:
CaCO3 (s) + H2SO4 (aq) ---> CaSO4(s) + H2O(l) +CO2(g)

Calculate the mass of calcium carbonate required to neutralise 50 kg of sulphuric acid.

here i don't know what to do as well...:(

Well, i would calculate the number of moles in 50kg of H2SO4, use the equation to see how many moles of CaCO3 are required to neutralise it, then find the mass of this number of moles of CaCO3.
 
What you think about this calculation :

(iii) Calculate the volume , in dm3 , of 5 M NaOH which contains this number
of moles.

I used this formula:

amount of substance, in mol= concentartion x ( volume of solution / 1000)
1020 = 5 M x ( V / 1000 )
1 020 000 = 5 M x V
204 000cm3 = V

204 000 cm3= 204 dm 3

hope it s right now.
 
When doing these calculations, please show your units. They will be a great help to you. Make sure that the units for concentration and volume of solution are similar.

What is the '1000' doing in your calculation? Units?
 

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