Use the ratio in the balanced chemical equation below to determine how many moles of sodium (Na) are required to produce 0.6 moles of sodium oxide (Na2O).

Question

4 Na + O₂ → 2 Na₂O

Answer 1

The balanced equation 4Na + O₂ → 2Na₂O tells us in moles that 4 moles of Na reacts with 1 moles of O₂ to produce 2 moles of Na₂O. The coefficients can be used to set up a relationship between the reactants/products. For the specific question 2 moles of Na₂O will be produced from 4 moles of Na . With this relationship we can calculate how many moles of Na is required to produce ANY amount of Na₂O..

(0.6 mol Na₂O ) ( 4mol Na / 2 mol Na₂O) = 1.2 mol Na gives the answer

Remember the coefficients from any equation can be written as a conversion factor and used in such a way as to obtain what is asked in your question.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Here we simply use the ratio of the coefficients in the balanced chemical equation of the relevant reactant (Na) and product (Na₂0) and multiply it by the amount of desired product: (4 mol Na)/(2 mol Na₂O) • (0.6 mol Na₂O) = 1.2 mol Na. If it's helpful, you can perform the dimensional analysis and cross out the "mol Na₂O" to arrive at "mol Na" to check that you've set up the ratio correctly.