Question

Find the mass of KNO₃ required to produce 126 kg of nitric acid. Find whether a larger or smaller mass of NaNO₃ is required for the same purpose.

\[\ce{KNO3 + H2SO4 -> KHSO4 + HNO3}\]

\[\ce{NaNO3 + H2SO4 -> NaHSO4 + HNO3}\]

Answer 1

The molecular mass of KNO₃ = 101 g

63 g of HNO₃ is formed by = 101 g of KNO₃

So, 126 Kg of HNO₃ is formed by = `(126 xx 101)/63` = 202 kg

Now, The molecular mass of NaNO₃ = 85 Kg

126 g of HNO₃ is formed by `(85 xx 126)/63` = 170 kg of NaNO₃

So, a smaller mass of NaNO₃ is required.