Chemistry very easy I forgot how to do this

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the minimum amount of potassium cyanide (KCN) required to extract 29.0 grams of gold (Au) using the reaction equation 4Au + 8KCN + O2 + 2H2O -> 4KAu(CN)2 + 4KOH. The user attempts to derive the moles of KCN needed based on the stoichiometry of the balanced equation, which indicates a 1:2 ratio of gold to KCN. The correct calculation yields 0.294 moles of KCN, but confusion arises regarding the interpretation of coefficients and subscripts in the context of the reaction.

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Homework Statement



For many years the recovery of gold-that is, the separation of gold from other materials-involved the use of potassium cyanide:

4AU + 8KCN + 02 +2H20 -> 4KAu(CN)2 + 4KOH

What is the minimum amount of KCN in moles needed to extract 29.0 g (about an ounce) of gold?

Now my question is one of the proper equations as I don't know what symbol to use for which quantity...

I understand that

mass = (molecular mass)(moles of mass)
were mass has units of grams, g, symbol used curvy M, mass of each element in the compound times subscripts of the element i.e. C2 would be 2(12.00g) = 24.00 g
mole of mass is the coeficent before the compound in the balanced reaction equation

m = Mn

I then would go to use subscripts were if the question asked about a compound on in part of the reactant balanced equation I would just use a R for a subscript and a Y for yield

now this problem bothers me

dividing the equation above by Mn I get

m/(Mn) = 1

and then go do the problem but sense the question is making reference to two reactants I had to use A and B for subscripts as well were A is the gold compound and B is the KCN compound

(m_R_A)/( (M_R_A)(n_R_A) ) = (m_R_B)/( (M_R_B)(n_R_B) )

solving for m_R_B

( (m_R_A)(M_R_B)(n_R_B) )/( (M_R_B)(n_R_B) ) = m_R_B

now my probelm is that I know that m_R_A is given in the problem 29.0 g so I now that m = Mn solving for n I get m/M I need to solve for n so clearly then

(m_R_B)/(M_R_B) = n_R_B = ( (m_R_A)(n_R_B) )/( (M_R_B)(n_R_B) )

clearly my use of symbols is wrong but it makes sense were n_R_B is the is the 8 and also what the probelm is asking for me clearly a probelm but here is what I did

( (29.0 g Au)(8 mol KCN) )/( (197.0 (g Au)/(mol Au))(4 mol Au) ) = .294 mol KCN

clearly this is a probelm even though its write because in the equation I said that KCN was 8 moles but when I solved I got .294 mol KCN are these two different values because they are both the amount of moles of KCN

I'm kind of confused please let me know how to make sense of this in my equation and understand how they are different and the symbols I should use to indicate so as I don't know how to do this please let me know if you don't understand

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
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Don't make this more complicated than it has to be. Remember your equation:
4AU + 8KCN + 02 +2H20 -> 4KAu(CN)2 + 4KOH

You will see that for every mole of gold you need how many moles of cyanide? Can you tell from just looking at your equation? What is the ratio of gold/cyanide?
 

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