The chemical equation below shows the reaction between tin (Sn) and hydrogen fluoride (HF).

[tex]\[
Sn + 2HF \rightarrow SnF_2 + H_2
\][/tex]

The molar mass of HF is \( 20.01 \, \text{g/mol} \). How many moles of Sn are required to react completely with \( 40 \, \text{g} \) of HF?

A. 1 mole
B. 2 moles
C. 3 moles
D. 4 moles



Answer :

To solve how many moles of \( \text{Sn} \) are required to react completely with \( 40 \) grams of HF, you should follow these steps:

1. Find the number of moles of HF:

The molar mass of HF is given as \( 20.01 \, \text{g/mol} \).

[tex]\[ \text{Number of moles of HF} = \frac{\text{mass of HF}}{\text{molar mass of HF}} \][/tex]

[tex]\[ \text{Number of moles of HF} = \frac{40 \, \text{g}}{20.01 \, \text{g/mol}} \approx 1.999 \, \text{moles} \][/tex]

2. Use the stoichiometry of the reaction:

The balanced chemical equation is:
[tex]\[ \text{Sn} + 2 \, \text{HF} \rightarrow \text{SnF}_2 + \text{H}_2 \][/tex]

According to this equation, 1 mole of \( \text{Sn} \) reacts with 2 moles of \( \text{HF} \).

3. Calculate the moles of \( \text{Sn} \) required:

[tex]\[ \text{Moles of Sn} = \frac{\text{Moles of HF}}{2} \][/tex]

[tex]\[ \text{Moles of Sn} = \frac{1.999 \, \text{moles HF}}{2} = 0.9995 \, \text{moles Sn} \][/tex]

Therefore, approximately \( 1 \) mole of \( \text{Sn} \) is required to react completely with \( 40 \) grams of HF. Hence, from the given options, the moles of \( \text{Sn} \) required is:
[tex]\[ \boxed{1 \, \text{mole}} \][/tex]