Consider the reaction: CO (g) + 2 H2 (g) ------ CH3OH (g)

Question

Suppose that 16.5 L of CO (g) is allowed to react with 25.2 L of H2 (g) at constant temperature and pressure. What volume of CH3OH gas would be produced?

Answer 1

CO(g) + 2H₂(g) ==> CH₃OH(g) ... balanced equation

16.5 L.....25.2 L...........? L.........

Since this is at constant temperature and pressure, we can use liters as if they were moles of gas, and apply the stoichiometry of the balanced equation to find volume CH₃OH produced.

Which reactant, if either, is limiting?

Since it takes 2 L of H₂ to react with every 1 L of CO, the H₂ will be limiting since we don't have twice as much H₂ as we have CO. Now we can use the limiting reactant (H₂) to find the theoretical yield (volume) of CH₃OH.

25.2 L H₂ x 1 L CH₃OH / 2 L H₂ = 12.6 L CH₃OH will be produced