To visualize getting an answer that is greater a positive integer, I will give an example base on the ideal gas law.
You are given
the mass of CaH₂ which is 14 grams and H₂O which is 28 grams. You are required
to find the maximum volume of H₂ gas at STP. The balanced chemical reaction is
CaH₂ + 2H₂O → Ca(OH)₂ + H₂. Note that for every one mole of CaH₂, 2 moles of
H₂O is needed to completely react and produce Ca(OH)₂ + H₂. So the CaH₂ and H₂O
are at equal proportions. At STP, temperature is at 0°C(273K) and pressure at 1
atm. The molar mass of CaH₂ is 42 grams per mole.
14g CaH₂(1mol
CaH₂/42 grams CaH₂)(1mol H₂/1mol CaH₂) = 0.333 moles H2
The ideal gas
equation is PV = nRT, with R(gas constant) = 0.08206 L-atm/mol-K. get the equation
for volume, we have
V = nRT/P
V = (0.333mol H₂)(0.08206 L-atm/mol-K)(273K)/1atm
<span>V = 7.47L</span>
<span>
</span>
<span>The answer is a positive integer.</span>