Question

The composition of air by volume is approximately 1/5 oxygen, 4/5 nitrogen. When

air is passed through red-hot carbon, the following reaction occurs: 2C + O2(g)
2CO(g). If all of the oxygen is converted to carbon monoxide, what is the
composition, by volume, of the gas produced?
(A)1/5 carbon monoxide, 4/5 nitrogen
(B) 1/3 carbon monoxide, 2/3 nitrogen
(C) 2/5 carbon monoxide, 3/5 nitrogen
(D)1/2 carbon monoxide, 1/2 nitrogen

Answer 1

We are given with the composition of air in which air is used to convert carbon to carbon monoxide. In this case, when oxygen is used and not pure oxygen, an inert compound remains unaffected after the reaction. The product composition is 1/3 nitrogen and 2/3 carbon monoxide as the product is composed of 2 moles CO and 4 moles N2.