Baking ammonia or ammonium bicarbonate (NH₄HCO₃, 79.1 g/mol) is a leavening agent used in some older recipes. As it is heated, it breaks down into three gases: ammonia, water, and carbon dioxide. For each 20 g of baking ammonia heated (about 4 tsp), how many grams of carbon dioxide are produced?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to the chemical equation for the breakdown of baking ammonia, for each mole of baking ammonia, one mole of carbon dioxide is produced. 
The molar mass of baking ammonia is 79.1 g/mol. 
Therefore, 20 g of baking ammonia is equal to 20/79.1 = 0.253 moles of baking ammonia. 
Thus, 0.253 moles of carbon dioxide are produced. 
The molar mass of carbon dioxide is 44.01 g/mol. 
So, the mass of 0.253 moles of carbon dioxide is 0.253 x 44.01 = 11.13 g, which is approximately 11 g. 
Therefore, the answer is (C) 11 g.

Baking Ammonia or Ammonium Bicarbonate (NH4HCO3, 79

Baking Ammonia or Ammonium Bicarbonate (NH₄HCO₃, 79