Which of the following would weigh the highest ?

Question

Accepted Answer

To determine which option would weigh the highest, we need to calculate the mass of each given substance based on the number of moles and their respective molar masses.

1. **Option 1: 0.2 mole of sucrose ($C_{12}H_{22}O_{11}$)**
   - Molar mass of sucrose ($C_{12}H_{22}O_{11}$) = 12(12) + 22(1) + 11(16) = 144 + 22 + 176 = 342 g/mol
   - Mass = 0.2 moles × 342 g/mol = 68.4 grams

2. **Option 2: 2.0 moles of $CaCO_3$**
   - Molar mass of $CaCO_3$ = 40 (Ca) + 12 (C) + 3(16) (O) = 40 + 12 + 48 = 100 g/mol
   - Mass = 2.0 moles × 100 g/mol = 200 grams

3. **Option 3: 2.0 moles of $CO_2$**
   - Molar mass of $CO_2$ = 12 (C) + 2(16) (O) = 12 + 32 = 44 g/mol
   - Mass = 2.0 moles × 44 g/mol = 88 grams

4. **Option 4: 10 moles of $H_2O$**
   - Molar mass of $H_2O$ = 2(1) + 16 = 2 + 16 = 18 g/mol
   - Mass = 10 moles × 18 g/mol = 180 grams

**Explanation:**

- **Option 2 is correct** because 2.0 moles of $CaCO_3$ weigh 200 grams, which is the highest mass among all the options provided.
- **Option 1 is incorrect** because 0.2 mole of sucrose weighs only 68.4 grams, which is significantly less than 200 grams.
- **Option 3 is incorrect** because 2.0 moles of $CO_2$ weigh 88 grams, which is also less than 200 grams.
- **Option 4 is incorrect** because 10 moles of $H_2O$ weigh 180 grams, which is less than 200 grams.

Thus, based on the calculations, Option 2, which is 2.0 moles of $CaCO_3$, indeed weighs the highest at 200 grams, confirming it as the correct answer.