Converting 5 pounds of nitroglycerin to moles

[ngu9997]

Homework Statement

5 lbs of nitroglycerin detonates. What is the total volume of the gases produced?

Homework Equations

PV=nRT

The Attempt at a Solution

I used the balance chemical equation of the decomposition of nitroglycerin and used stoichiometry to find the number of moles of nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide added them all and put the number of moles into PV=nRT. The only thing I'm unsure about is how to convert 5 pounds of nitroglycerin into moles. I multiplied 5 pounds by 453 grams then divided by nitroglycerin's molar mass. Did i convert to moles correctly?

 

[Borek]

I multiplied 5 pounds by 453 grams then divided by nitroglycerin's molar mass. Did i convert to moles correctly?

Yes.

 

[Chestermiller]

The real question is what temperature and pressure are you supposed to use?

 

[Borek]

When nothing else is given, I would assume STP.