Phosphine, an extremely poisonous and highly reactive gas, reacts with oxygen gas to form tetraphosphorus decaoxide and water. PH₃(g) + O₂(g) → P₄O₁₀(s) + H₂O(g) [unbalanced]
Calculate the mass of P₄O₁₀(s) formed when 225 g of PH₃ reacts with excess oxygen.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

First, balance the chemical equation: 4 PH₃ + 5 O₂ → P₄O₁₀ + 6 H₂O. Calculate moles of PH₃: 225 g / 34.0 g/mol = 6.618 moles. From the balanced equation, 4 moles of PH₃ produce 1 mole of P₄O₁₀. Thus, 6.618 moles of PH₃ produce 6.618 / 4 = 1.6545 moles of P₄O₁₀. The molar mass of P₄O₁₀ is 283.9 g/mol, so the mass of P₄O₁₀ is 1.6545 moles * 283.9 g/mol = 470 g.

Phosphine, an Extremely Poisonous and Highly Reactive Gas, Reacts with Oxygen