If a sample containing 2.50 ml of nitroglycerin (density=1.592g/ml) is detonated, how many total moles of gas are produced?

Density = mass / volume

mass of nitroglycerin = density x volume = 1.592 x 2.5 = 3.98 grams

molar mass of nitroglycerin = 3 (12) + 5 (1) + 3 (14) + 9 (16) = 227 grams

number of moles reacting = mass / molar mass = 3.98/227 = 0.017 moles

The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is as follows:

4C3H5N3O9 ... > 12CO2 (g) + 6N2 (g) + O2 (g) + 10H2O (g)

From the balanced equation:

4 moles of nitroglycerin produces a total of 12 + 6 + 1 + 10 = 29 moles of gas.

Therefore:

0.017 moles of nitroglycerin produces a total of:

(0.017 x 29) / 4 = 0.12325 moles of gases