Sodium azide decomposes rapidly to produce nitrogen gas.

2 NaN3 - -> 2 Na + 3 N2

What mass of sodium azide will inflate a 60.0 L airbag for a car to a pressure of 1.50 atm at 32*C? (R = 0.08206 L*atm/mol*K)

156 g

Explanation:

Let's consider the following reaction.

2 NaN₃ (s) → 2 Na (s) + 3 N₂ (g)

We can find the moles of N₂ using the ideal gas equation.

P * V = n * R * T

1.50 atm * 60.0 L = n * (0.08206 atm. L/mol. K) * 305 K

n = 3.60 mol

The molar ratio of N₂ to NaN₃ is 3:2. The moles of NaN₃ are:

3.60 mol N₂ * (2 mol NaN₃ / 3 mol N₂) = 2.40 mol NaN₃

The molar mass of NaN₃ is 65.01 g/mol. The mass of NaN₃ is:

2.40 mol * 65.01 g/mol = 156 g