Question

Consider the equation: 3CuO(s)+2NH3(g)--->N2(g)+3Cu(s)+3H2O(l)

How many moles of nitrogen gas could be made from:

a) 5.00 Mol CuO and 2.00 mol NH3

b) 6.00 mol CuO and 6.00 mol NH3

Answer 1

First, find out which reactant is limiting by comparing molar ratios.

For CuO, we begin with 5.0 moles. Since every 3 moles of CuO produces one mole of product, we know that if 5.0 moles of CuO are reacted, 1.67 moles of N₂ are formed.

For NH_3, we begin with 2.0 moles. Since every 2 moles of NH₃ produces one mole of product, we know that if 2.0 moles of NH₃ are reacted, 1.0 mole of product N₂ is formed.

Since 1 is less than 1.67, NH₃ is limiting, and thus 1 mole of N₂ could be made.

For part 2, we begin with 6.0 moles of CuO. Since every 3 moles of CuO produces one mole of product, we know that if 6.0 moles of CuO are reacted, 2 moles of N₂ are formed.

For NH_3, we begin with 6.0 moles. Since every 2 moles of NH₃ produces one mole of product, we know that if 6.0 moles of NH₃ are reacted, 3.0 moles of product N₂ is formed.

Since 2 is less than 3, CuO is limiting, and 2.0 moles of N₂ will be formed.