Find the mass of benzene (C6H6) required to produce 2.66 g of carbon dioxide gas from the reaction described by the following equation: 2C6H6 + 15O2 → 6H2O + 12CO2

Mass of benzene required = 0.78 g

Explanation:

Given data:

Mass of CO₂ produced = 2.66 g

Mass of benzene required = ?

Solution:

Chemical equation:

2C₆H₆ + 15O₂       →    6H₂O + 12CO₂

Number of moles of CO₂:

Number of moles = mass/molar mass

Number of moles = 2.66 g/ 44 g/mol

Number of moles = 0.06 mol

Now we will compare the moles of CO₂ with C₆H₆.

                        CO₂       :        C₆H₆

                            12        :          2

                          0.06      :        2/12×0.06=0.01 mol

Mass of benzene required:

Mass = number of moles × molar mass

Mass = 0.01 mol × 78.11 g/mol

Mass = 0.78 g