Cobalt chloride can be prepared in the laboratory by the following chemical equa

Question

Cobalt chloride can be prepared in the laboratory by the following chemical equation:

Co(s) + HCl(l)        H2 (g) + "cobalt chloride"

Use the following information to determine formula of the cobalt chloride that is formed. (do not determine by balancing the equation)

When 0.4878 g of cobalt solid is heated with an excess of hydrochloric acid (HCl), 1.368 g of cobalt
chloride is produced. Do your best to show your work.

Hints: Hydrochloric acid serves as the source of chlorine for the resultant compound, and the mass of cobalt is completely incorporated into the cobalt chloride product.

Explanation / Answer

Mass of cobalt taken = 0.4878 g

mass of cobalt chloride formed = 1.368 g

Thus mass of chlorine in the product = 1.368 -0.4878

= 0.8802 g

Element cobalt chlorine

mass 0.4878 0.8802

atomic mass 58.93 35.5

moles of atoms 0.4878/58.93 0.8802/35.5

=0.008277 = 0.02474

ratio of moles 0.008277/0.008277 0.02474/0.08277

= 1 = 2.98

Thus the formula of cobalt chloride formed is

Co1 Cl3 or CoCl3

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