Question

Balance the chemical reaction equation

Answer 1

We have the following chemical reaction:

P₄ + 10 Cl₂ → 4 PCl₅

Identifying the limiting reactant.

mass of  P₄ = 28 g

mass of Cl₂ = 53 g

number of moles = mass / molecular weight

number of moles of P₄ = 28 / 124 = 0.226 moles

number of moles of Cl₂ = 53 / 71 = 0.746 moles

From the reaction we see that 1 mole of P₄ will react with 10 moles of Cl₂ so 0.226 moles of P₄ will react with 2.226 moles of Cl₂, but we have only 0.746 moles of Cl₂. So the limiting reactant will be Cl₂.

Part B

From the previous calculations we know that 28 g of P₄ are equal to 0.226 moles moles of P₄.

Now, knowing the chemical reaction, we devise the following reasoning:

if        1 mole of P₄ produces 4 moles of PCl₅

then  0.226 moles of P₄ produces X moles of PCl₅

X = (0.226 × 4) / 1 = 0.904 moles of PCl₅

Part C

From the previous calculations we know that 53 g of Cl₂ are equal to 0.746 moles moles of Cl₂.

Now, knowing the chemical reaction, we devise the following reasoning:

if         10 moles of Cl₂ produces 4 moles of PCl₅

then   0.746 moles of Cl₂ produces X moles of PCl₅

X = (0.746 × 4) / 10 = 0.298 moles of PCl₅