Question

The following two reactions are important in the blast furnace production of iron metal from iron ore (Fe2O3):2C(s) + O2(g) -> 2CO(g)Fe2O3 + 3CO(g) -> 2Fe + 3CO2Using these balanced reactions, how many moles of O2 are required for the production of 5.00 kg of Fe?A) 67.1 molesB) 29.8 molesC) 7.46 molesD) 89.5 molesE) 16.8 moles

Answer 1

Answer: A) 67.1 moles

Explanation:

The balanced reaction is :

$2C(s)+O_2(g)\rightarrow 2CO(g)$

$Fe_2O_3+3CO(g)\rightarrow 2Fe+3CO_2$

To calculate the moles, we use the equation:

$\text{Number of moles of iron}=\frac{\text{Given mass}}{\text {Molar mass}}=\frac{5.00\times 1000g}{56g/mol}=89.3moles$

According to stoichiometry;

2 moles of iron is produced by 3 moles of carbon monoxide

89.3 moles of iron is produced by=$\frac{3}{2}\times 89.3=134$ moles of carbon monoxide

2 moles of carbon monoxide is produced by = 1 mole of oxygen

Thus 134 moles of carbon monoxide is produced by = $\frac{1}{2}\times 134=67.1$ moles of oxygen