1. Balanced Chemical Equation:
The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is:
Cu + Cl2 → CuCl2
2. Molar Masses:
* Cu (Copper): 63.55 g/mol
* Cl2 (Chlorine): 70.90 g/mol
* CuCl2 (Copper Chloride): 134.45 g/mol
3. Moles of Copper:
* Moles of Cu = (mass of Cu) / (molar mass of Cu)
* Moles of Cu = (50 g) / (63.55 g/mol) = 0.787 mol
4. Stoichiometry:
The balanced equation shows a 1:1 mole ratio between copper (Cu) and copper chloride (CuCl2). This means that 0.787 moles of copper will produce 0.787 moles of copper chloride.
5. Theoretical Yield of CuCl2:
* Theoretical yield of CuCl2 = (moles of CuCl2) * (molar mass of CuCl2)
* Theoretical yield of CuCl2 = (0.787 mol) * (134.45 g/mol) = 105.7 g
Therefore, the theoretical yield of copper chloride (CuCl2) is 105.7 grams.
Note: The given information that 101.6 grams of copper chloride were formed is the actual yield, not the theoretical yield. The actual yield is usually lower than the theoretical yield due to factors like incomplete reactions or losses during the experiment.
