Given the reaction 2HgO(s) → 2Hg(l) + O₂(g), what weight of elemental mercury will be obtained by the decomposition of 0.125 mol of HgO?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

First, we need to balance the chemical equation:

2HgO(s) → 2Hg(l) + O2(g)

The molar ratio of HgO to Hg is 2:2 or 1:1. This means that for every 1 mol of HgO that decomposes, we will get 1 mol of Hg.

0.125 mol of HgO will produce 0.125 mol of Hg.

To find the weight of Hg, we need to use its molar mass:

200.59 g/mol

Weight of Hg = moles of Hg x molar mass of Hg 
Weight of Hg = 0.125 mol x 200.59 g/mol 
Weight of Hg = 25.07 g

Therefore, the answer is B) 25.0 g.

Given the Reaction 2HgO(s) → 2Hg(l) + O2(g), What Weight