Question

Automakers are always investigating alternative reactions for the generation of gas to inflate air bags, in part because the sodium produced in the decomposition of NaN₃ presents safety concerns. One system that has been considered is the oxidation of graphite by strontium nitrate, Sr(NO₃)₂, as shown in the equation below.

5C(s) + 2Sr(NO₃)₂(s) → 2SrO(s) + 2N₂(g) + 5CO₂(g)

Suppose that a system is being designed using this reaction, and the goal is to generate enough gas to inflate a bag to 62 L and 1.3 atm at 23°C. What is the minimum mass of graphite that should be used in the design of this system?

g C(s)

Answer 1