On Easter Sunday, April 3, 1983, nitric acid spilled from a tank car near downtown Denver, Colorado.

Question:

On Easter Sunday, April 3, 1983, nitric acid spilled from a tank car near downtown Denver, Colorado. The spill was neutralized with sodium carbonate: 

2HNO3(aq) + NaCO3(s)  2NaNO3(aq) + HO(l) + CO(g)

a. Calculate DH8 for this reaction. Approximately 2.0 x 104 gal nitric acid was spilled. Assume that the acid was an aqueous solution containing 70.0% HNO3 by mass with a density of 1.42 g/cm3 . What mass of sodium carbonate was required for complete neutralization of the spill, and what quantity of heat was evolved? (ΔHf° for NaNO3(aq) = -467 kJ/mol)

b. According to The Denver Post for April 4, 1983, authorities feared that dangerous air pollution might occur during the neutralization. Considering the magnitude of ΔH°, what was their major concern?

Fantastic news! We've Found the answer you've been seeking!

Step by Step Answer:

Related Book For  answer-question

Chemistry An Atoms First Approach

ISBN: 9781305079243

2nd Edition

Authors: Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl

Question Posted: