Question

Sodium metal (Na) reacts explosively with water to form sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and hydrogen gas. How many moles of sodium are needed to produce 154 moles of hydrogen gas? (Hint: Balance the equation.)

Answer 1

Answer:

308 moles of sodium

Explanation:

The balanced equation for the chemical reaction between sodium metal (Na) and water (H₂O) is the following:

2 Na(s) + 2 H₂O → 2 NaOH(aq) + H₂(g)

From the equation, we can see that 2 moles of Na react with 2 moles of H₂O to give 2 moles of NaOH and 1 mol of H₂ (hydrogen gas). So the stoichiometric mole ratio between Na and H₂ is: 2 mol Na/1 mol H₂. Thus, we multiply the mole ratio by the moles of H₂ to be produced to obtain the moles of Na required:

moles of Na required =  2 mol Na/1 mol H₂ x 154 moles H₂ = 308 moles Na

Therefore, 308 moles of sodium are needed to produce 154 moles of hydrogen gas.