chemistry 1 help

Question

The Ostwald process is used commercially to produce nitric acid, which is, in turn, used in many modern chemical processes. In the first step of the Ostwald process, ammonia is reacted with oxygen gas to produce nitric oxide and water.

What is the maximum mass of  that can be produced by combining  of each reactant?

Answer 1

Again, since they are giving you the mass of BOTH reactants, you must find which reactant, if any, is limiting.

73.0 g NH₃ x 1 mol NH₃/17 g x 6 mol H₂O/4 mol NH₃ x 18 g H₂O/mol = 116 g H₂O formed

73.0 g O₂ x 1 mol O₂/32 g x 6 mol H₂O/5 mol O₂ x 18 g H₂O/mol = 49.3 g H₂O formed is maximum mass

Since only 49.3 g of H₂O can be formed, this makes the O₂ the limiting reactant and NH₃ is present in excess.