The balanced reaction that describes the decomposition of nitroglycerin to produce carbon dioxide, nitrogen, water and oxygen is expressed: 4c3h5(no3)3(l) = 12co2(g)+ 6n2(g) +10h2o(g) + o2(g). Hence for every 4 moles of nitroglycerin used, 12 moles of carbon dioxide is produced. When 25 grams of CO2 is produced, we convert this to mass and multiply by 4/12 and multiply again with the molar mass of nitroglycerin. The answer is 42.99 grams nitroglycerin.
