Theoretically, how much zinc [At. Wt. = 65.41] in grams would be needed to produce 500.00 grams of copper metal from any soluble copper (II) salt?

514.65 g of Zn

Explanation:

Zinc metal reacts with copper ions in a salt of copper to form copper metal and zinc (ii) salt.

The equation for the reaction is;

Zn (s) + Cu²⁺ (aq) → Zn²⁺ (aq) + Cu (s)

we are required to calculate the mass of Zinc needed

Step 1: Number of moles of copper

The mass of copper metal produced is 500.0 grams

We can get the number of moles of copper,

Molar mass of copper = 63.55 g/mol

But; Number of moles = Mass : Molar mass

Therefore;

Moles of copper = 500.0 g : 63.55 g/mol

= 7.868 moles

Step 2: Moles of Zinc

From the reaction 1 mole of Zinc metal reacts with a salt of copper (ii) to produce 1 mole of copper.

Therefore, the ratio of Zn : Cu is 1 : 1

Hence;

Moles of zinc will be 7.868 moles

Step 3: Mass of Zinc metal

Moles of Zn = 7.868 moles

Molar mass of Zn = 65.41 g/mol

But; Mass = number of moles * molar mass

Thus;

Mass of Zn = 7.868 moles * 65.41 g/mol

= 514.65 g

Therefore, the mass of Zn metal needed is 514.65 g