In Antoine Lavoisier's classic experiment, mercuric oxide is heated in a sealed container. The solid red powder is changed into two products: silver liquid mercury and oxygen gas. If Lavoisier heated 100 grams of powdered mercuric oxide to produce 93 grams of liquid mercury, how much oxygen would be released?

A). 7 grams

B). 16 grams

C). 32 grams

D). 93 grams

Question

Chemistry

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22 September, 10:37

In Antoine Lavoisier's classic experiment, mercuric oxide is heated in a sealed container. The solid red powder is changed into two products: silver liquid mercury and oxygen gas. If Lavoisier heated 100 grams of powdered mercuric oxide to produce 93 grams of liquid mercury, how much oxygen would be released?

A). 7 grams

B). 16 grams

C). 32 grams

D). 93 grams

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Answers (1)

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Gillian Wiley · Answer 1

After heating the compound, it is understood that what has been released is its water content. The remaining mercuric oxide, HgO, contains 7.39% oxygen. From the given above,

(93 grams) x (0.0739) = 6.87 grams

The obtained value is closest to 7. Thus, the answer is letter A.