Calculating CO2 Mass for Neutralizing a 1 Molar NaOH Solution

Introduction

Neutralization reactions are fundamental in chemistry, often involving the reaction of a base and an acid. This article will focus on the neutralization of a sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution with carbon dioxide (CO2), providing a detailed explanation of the calculation involved in determining the required mass of CO2 to achieve neutralization.

Chemical Reaction Details

The balanced chemical equation for the reaction between CO2 and NaOH is given by:

CO2(g) 2NaOH(aq) → Na2CO3(aq) H2O(l)

This equation indicates that 1 mole of CO2 reacts with 2 moles of NaOH to form sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) and water (H2O).

Mass of CO2 Required for Neutralization

To determine the mass of CO2 required, we need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Calculate Moles of NaOH

The molar mass of CO2 is 44.009 g/mol. First, we need to calculate the number of moles of NaOH in a 2 dm3 (2 L) 1 Molar (1 M) solution.

Calculation:

Moles of NaOH Volume of solution (in liters) × Molarity of solution

Moles of NaOH 2 L × 1 mol/L 2 moles

Step 2: Determine Molar Ratio

From the balanced equation, the molar ratio of NaOH to CO2 is 2:1. This means that 2 moles of NaOH react with 1 mole of CO2.

Step 3: Calculate Moles of CO2 Required

To neutralize 2 moles of NaOH, the moles of CO2 required are calculated as follows:

Moles of CO2 required Moles of NaOH / 2 2 moles / 2 1 mole

Step 4: Calculate Mass of CO2

The mass of 1 mole of CO2 can be calculated using its molar mass:

Mass of CO2 Moles of CO2 × Molar mass of CO2

Molar mass of CO2 12 g/mol (for C) 2 × 16 g/mol (for O) 44 g/mol

Mass of CO2 required 1 mole × 44 g/mol 44 g

Therefore, 44 grams of CO2 are required to neutralize 2 dm3 of a 1 Molar NaOH solution.

Implications and Further Considerations

The understanding of the molar ratio and the steps involved in such calculations is crucial in various applications, such as environmental chemistry, industrial processes, and laboratory settings. Neutralization reactions play a vital role in controlling pH levels, solidifying waste, and in the production of various chemicals.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the mass of CO2 required to react with 2 dm3 of 1 M NaOH is 44 grams, which is derived from the balanced chemical equation and the stoichiometric relationship between the reactants. This knowledge is essential for a wide range of applications where accurate chemical neutralization is necessary.

References

[1] International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) - Periodic Table of Chemical Elements. (n.d.). Retrieved from