If 14.5 moles of Cu and 15.9 moles of HNO3 are allowed to react, what is the maximum number of moles of NO that can be produced? 3CU+8HNO3——>3Cu(NO3)2 +2NO+4H2O

Answer 1

3Cu + 8HNO₃ ==> 3Cu(NO₃₎₂ + 2NO + 4H₂O ... balanced equation

14.5.....15.9......

Find the limiting reactant: An easy way to do this is to divide the moles of reactant by its coefficient and which value comes out less it the limiting reactant...

14.5 mol Cu / 3 = 4.83

15.9 mol HNO₃ / 8 = 1.98

HNO₃ IS LIMITING

Now that we have the limiting reactant we can use it to find the maximum moles of NO that can form:

15.9 moles HNO₃ x 2 mol NO / 8 mol HNO₃ = 3.98 mol NO