According To Your Answers From Questions Two And Three, Is 42.0 G Of $O_2$ Or 35.7 G Of $NH_3$ The Limiting Reactant For $NO$?
Introduction
In a chemical reaction, the limiting reactant is the substance that determines the maximum amount of product that can be formed. It is the reactant that is consumed first, and its availability limits the amount of product that can be produced. In this article, we will discuss how to determine the limiting reactant in a chemical reaction using the answers to questions two and three.
Understanding the Chemical Reaction
The chemical reaction we are considering is the formation of nitrogen oxide (NO) from oxygen (O2) and ammonia (NH3). The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is:
4NH3 + 5O2 → 4NO + 6H2O
Calculating the Number of Moles of Each Reactant
To determine the limiting reactant, we need to calculate the number of moles of each reactant. We are given the masses of O2 and NH3, which are 42.0 g and 35.7 g, respectively. We can use the molar masses of O2 and NH3 to calculate the number of moles of each reactant.
The molar mass of O2 is 32.0 g/mol, and the molar mass of NH3 is 17.0 g/mol. We can calculate the number of moles of each reactant as follows:
- Number of moles of O2 = mass of O2 / molar mass of O2 = 42.0 g / 32.0 g/mol = 1.31 mol
- Number of moles of NH3 = mass of NH3 / molar mass of NH3 = 35.7 g / 17.0 g/mol = 2.10 mol
Determining the Limiting Reactant
To determine the limiting reactant, we need to compare the mole ratio of O2 to NH3 required by the balanced chemical equation to the mole ratio of O2 to NH3 present in the reaction mixture. The balanced chemical equation requires a mole ratio of 5:4 (O2:NH3), while the reaction mixture has a mole ratio of 1.31:2.10 (O2:NH3).
Since the mole ratio of O2 to NH3 in the reaction mixture is less than the mole ratio required by the balanced chemical equation, O2 is the limiting reactant.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the limiting reactant in the formation of nitrogen oxide (NO) from oxygen (O2) and ammonia (NH3) is O2. This is because the mole ratio of O2 to NH3 in the reaction mixture is less than the mole ratio required by the balanced chemical equation.
Limiting Reactant Calculation
To calculate the limiting reactant, we can use the following steps:
- Calculate the number of moles of each reactant using the given masses and molar masses.
- Compare the mole ratio of the reactants required by the balanced chemical equation to the mole ratio of the reactants present in the reaction mixture.
- Determine the limiting reactant based on the comparison.
Example Problem
Suppose we have a reaction mixture containing 50.0 g of O2 and 30.0 g of NH3. We can calculate the number of moles of each reactant as follows:
- Number of moles of O2 = mass of O2 / molar mass of O2 = 50.0 g / 32.0 g/mol = 1.56 mol
- Number of moles of NH3 = mass of NH3 / molar mass of NH3 = 30.0 g / 17.0 g/mol = 1.76 mol
The mole ratio of O2 to NH3 in the reaction mixture is 1.56:1.76, which is less than the mole ratio required by the balanced chemical equation (5:4). Therefore, O2 is the limiting reactant.
Limiting Reactant in Real-World Applications
The concept of limiting reactant is crucial in many real-world applications, including:
- Chemical manufacturing: The limiting reactant determines the maximum amount of product that can be produced.
- Fuel efficiency: The limiting reactant affects the fuel efficiency of a vehicle.
- Environmental impact: The limiting reactant can affect the environmental impact of a chemical reaction.
Conclusion
Q: What is the limiting reactant in a chemical reaction?
A: The limiting reactant is the substance that determines the maximum amount of product that can be formed in a chemical reaction. It is the reactant that is consumed first, and its availability limits the amount of product that can be produced.
Q: How do I determine the limiting reactant in a chemical reaction?
A: To determine the limiting reactant, you need to calculate the number of moles of each reactant and compare the mole ratio of the reactants required by the balanced chemical equation to the mole ratio of the reactants present in the reaction mixture.
Q: What is the mole ratio of the reactants required by the balanced chemical equation?
A: The mole ratio of the reactants required by the balanced chemical equation can be found by looking at the coefficients in front of each reactant in the balanced equation.
Q: How do I calculate the number of moles of each reactant?
A: To calculate the number of moles of each reactant, you need to divide the mass of each reactant by its molar mass.
Q: What is the molar mass of a substance?
A: The molar mass of a substance is the mass of one mole of that substance. It is typically expressed in units of grams per mole (g/mol).
Q: How do I compare the mole ratio of the reactants required by the balanced chemical equation to the mole ratio of the reactants present in the reaction mixture?
A: To compare the mole ratio of the reactants required by the balanced chemical equation to the mole ratio of the reactants present in the reaction mixture, you need to divide the number of moles of each reactant by the number of moles of the other reactant.
Q: What happens if the mole ratio of the reactants present in the reaction mixture is greater than the mole ratio required by the balanced chemical equation?
A: If the mole ratio of the reactants present in the reaction mixture is greater than the mole ratio required by the balanced chemical equation, then the reactant with the lower mole ratio is the limiting reactant.
Q: What happens if the mole ratio of the reactants present in the reaction mixture is less than the mole ratio required by the balanced chemical equation?
A: If the mole ratio of the reactants present in the reaction mixture is less than the mole ratio required by the balanced chemical equation, then the reactant with the higher mole ratio is the limiting reactant.
Q: Can the limiting reactant be a product of the reaction?
A: No, the limiting reactant cannot be a product of the reaction. The limiting reactant is always a reactant.
Q: Can the limiting reactant be a catalyst?
A: No, the limiting reactant cannot be a catalyst. The limiting reactant is always a reactant that is consumed during the reaction.
Q: How does the limiting reactant affect the yield of a reaction?
A: The limiting reactant determines the maximum amount of product that can be formed in a reaction. If the limiting reactant is consumed, then the reaction will stop producing product.
Q: Can the limiting reactant be changed during a reaction?
A: No, the limiting reactant cannot be changed during a reaction. The limiting reactant is determined by the initial conditions of the reaction.
Q: Can the limiting reactant be determined experimentally?
A: Yes, the limiting reactant can be determined experimentally by measuring the amount of product formed and comparing it to the amount of reactant consumed.
Q: Can the limiting reactant be determined theoretically?
A: Yes, the limiting reactant can be determined theoretically by calculating the mole ratio of the reactants required by the balanced chemical equation and comparing it to the mole ratio of the reactants present in the reaction mixture.