Trinitrotoluene (TNT), C7H5N3O6, combines explosively with oxygen to produce CO2, water, and N2. Write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction and calculate the grams of oxygen required for each 100.0 g of TNT.

We need 73.92 grams of O2 for each 100 grams TNT

Explanation:

Step 1: Data given

Trinitrotoluene (TNT) = C7H5N3O6

oxygen = O2

Molar mass of TNT = 227.13 g/mol

Step 2: The balanced equation

4 C7H5N3O6 + 21O2 → 28CO2 + 10H2O + 6N2

Step 3: Calculate moles of TNT

Moles TNT = mass TNT / molar mass TNT

Moles TNT = 100.0 grams / 227.13 g/mol

Moles TNT = 0.440 moles

Step 4: Calculate moles of O2

For 4 moles TNT we need 21 moles of O2 to produce 28 moles CO2, 10 moles H2O and 6 moles N2

For 0.440 moles TNT we need 21/4 * 0.440 = 2.31 moles O2

Step 5: Calculate mass of TNT

Mass O2 = moles O2 * molar mass O2

Mass O2 = 2.31 moles * 32 g/mol

Mass O2 = 73.92 grams

We need 73.92 grams of O2 for each 100 grams TNT