if 40 grams of ethylene was mixed with 40 grams of oxygen how much carbon dioxide would be produced?

Answer 1

First, write a correctly balanced equation for the reaction:

ethylene = C₂H₄

C₂H₄ + 3O₂ ==> 2CO₂ + 2H₂O ... balanced equation

Since we are given the mass of BOTH reactants, we must find which one is in limiting supply:

moles C₂H₄ preset = 40 g C₂H₄ x 1 mol C₂H₄/28 g = 1.43 moles C₂H₄

moles O₂ present = 40 g O₂ x 1 mol O₂/32 g = 1.25 mol O₂

Since it takes 3 mol O₂ per mol C₂H₄, clearly O₂ is limiting.

Yield of CO₂ = 1.25 mol O₂ x 2 mol CO₂ / 3 mol O₂ x 44 g CO₂/mol CO₂ = 37 g CO₂(2 sig. figs.)