Calculate the number of grams of product, given the synthesis reaction between aluminum with 6.0 mols of oxygen. (finish the equation and balance) Al + O2 —> Al2O3

Question

This is basic Stoichiometry. I need help please, i would be really grateful for a response, I am very confused.

Answer 1

Hello, Lisa,

As per two other questions from you, I'll give a brief, but helpful (I hope), analysis of this problem.

The first challenge is to balance the equation. This is slightly trickier than the others, due to an even number of oxygen atoms on the reactant side and an odd number on the product side. When one has a diatomic molecule and only need one of the two atoms, we can't simply say 1/2 O₂, since chemistry doesn't allow us to use portions of a molecule. But we're in luck, since the mathematicians allow us to do what we want until we need to actually do the work. This reaction is a good example.

Al + O₂ = Al₂O₃

Adding a coefficient of 2 for the Al is easy, but the O₂ is hard. We shouldn't (but will) put a 1.5 in front of the O₂ molecule to provide the 3 O atoms required. So, mathematically speaking, the following equation is balanced:

2 Al + 1.5 O₂ = Al₂O₃

The mathematicians are happy, but they don't know that finding 1/2 a molecule of O₂ is both difficult and expensive. For most molecules, it is impossible (What does 1.5 molecules of C₂H₆O really mean?).

To fix this,just multiply all the coefficients by whatever factor makes them all whole numbers, in this case "2."

4Al + 3O₂ = 2Al₂O₃

Now the equation is balanced, the mathematicians have a grin, and the chemists are happy.

If we react 6 moles of O₂, the equation says we'll obtain (2/3) that many moles of Al₂O₃. The (2/3) is the molar ratio of Al₂O₃ to O₂. [2 moles Al₂O₃/3 moles O₂].

So we'll get (2 moles Al₂O₃/3 moles O₂)*(6 moles O₂) = 4 moles Al₂O₃. Convert that to grams by multiplying by the molar mass of Al₂O₃ (102 g/mole) = 102 grams Al₂O₃. This all assumes we have sufficient, or excess, Al.

Hint: focus on the units in the conversion factors. make them all cancel except for the unit you seek. Molar mass is grams/mole. If you have grams and want moles, you can see that the grams needs to be divided by the g/mole, grams cancel and moles moves to the top.

Similarly, if you have moles and want grams, use the molar mass conversion factor so that moles cancel:

4 moles*(20 grams/mole) = 80 grams

Bob