Answer:
5 moles of Fe.
Explanation:
We'll begin by writing the balanced equation for the reaction. This is illustrated below:
Fe₂O₃ + 2Al —> Al₂O₃ + 2Fe
From the balanced equation above,
1 mole of Fe₂O₃ reacted with 2 moles of Al to produced 2 moles of Fe.
Next, we shall determine the limiting reactant. This can be obtained as follow:
From the balanced equation above,
1 mole of Fe₂O₃ reacted with 2 moles of Al.
Therefore, 3 moles of Fe₂O₃ will react with = 3 × 2 = 6 moles of Fe.
From the calculation made above, we can see clearly that a higher amount (i.e 6 moles) of Al than what was given (i.e 5 moles) is needed to react completely with 3 moles of Fe₂O₃.
Therefore, Al is the limiting reactant and Fe₂O₃ is the excess reactant.
Finally, we shall determine the maximum amount of Fe produced.
This can be obtained by using the limiting reactant as illustrated below.
NOTE: The limiting reactant is Al.
From the balanced equation above,
2 moles of Al reacted to produce 2 moles of Fe.
Therefore, 5 moles of Al will also react to produce 5 moles of Fe.
Thus, 5 moles of Fe were obtained from the reaction.
