# Problem: Automobile airbags contain solid sodium azide, NaN3, that reacts to produce nitrogen gas when heated, thus inflating the bag. 2NaN3 (s) → 2Na (s) + 3N2 (g) Calculate the value of work (w) in J, for the following system if 33.2 g of NaN3 reacts completely at 1.00 atm and 22 °C.

90% (9 ratings)
###### FREE Expert Solution

We’re being asked to calculate the work for the system if 33.2 g of NaN3 reacts completely at 1.00 atm and 22 ˚C

The given reaction is:

2 NaN3(s)  2 Na(s) + 3 N2(g)

Recall that work (w) is given by:

$\overline{){\mathbf{w}}{\mathbf{=}}{\mathbf{-}}{\mathbf{P\Delta V}}}$

where:

P = pressure (in atm)

ΔV = Vfinal – Vinitial = change in volume (in L)

Also note that if work is:

• (+): work is done by the surroundings to the system (compression)

• (–): work is done by the system to the surroundings (expansion)

90% (9 ratings)
###### Problem Details

Automobile airbags contain solid sodium azide, NaN3, that reacts to produce nitrogen gas when heated, thus inflating the bag.

2NaN3 (s) → 2Na (s) + 3N2 (g)

Calculate the value of work (w) in J, for the following system if 33.2 g of NaN3 reacts completely at 1.00 atm and 22 °C.

What scientific concept do you need to know in order to solve this problem?

Our tutors have indicated that to solve this problem you will need to apply the Internal Energy concept. You can view video lessons to learn Internal Energy Or if you need more Internal Energy practice, you can also practice Internal Energy practice problems .

What is the difficulty of this problem?

Our tutors rated the difficulty of Automobile airbags contain solid sodium azide, NaN3, that re... as high difficulty.

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What professor is this problem relevant for?

Based on our data, we think this problem is relevant for Professor Weitz's class at NU.