Consider this balanced equation: C2H5OH + 3 O2 --> 2 CO2 + 3 H2O To make 0.186 moles of CO2 how many moles of O2 would be required?

Answer 1

The balanced chemical equation tells us that there is a 3:2 molar ratio of O₂:CO₂

That means that for every 3 moles of O₂ reacted, 2 moles of CO₂ will be produced (and vice versa).

We have 0.186 moles of CO₂ being produced

(0.186 moles of CO₂)(3 mol O₂ / 2 mol CO₂) = 0.279 mol O₂ needed to produced 0.186 mol CO₂