Chemistry Limited Reactant

Question

how many moles of chlorine gas can be produced if 2 moles of FeCl3, react with 2 moles of O2?

Answer 1

First, write the correctly balanced equation for the reaction taking place:

4FeCl₃ + 3O₂(g) ==> 6Cl₂(g) + 2Fe₂O₃ ... balanced equation

Looking at the mole ratios in this balanced equation we see that 4 moles of FeCl₃ reacts with 3 moles of O₂ to produce 6 moles of Cl₂(g). Since we are given the moles of each reactant, we need to determine if either of them is in limiting supply. To so this, we can simply determine moles of Cl₂ produced by each reactant....

2 moles FeCl₃ x 6 moles Cl₂ / 4 moles FeCl₃ = 3 moles Cl₂

2 moles O₂ x 6 moles Cl₂ / 3 moles O₂ = 4 moles Cl₂

We see that FeCl₃ is limiting and so the answer to the question is 3 moles of Cl₂ gas will be produced