Question

5.6 mols of sodium reacts with 3.4 mols of chlorine. How many mols of sodium chloride are formed? What is the limiting reactant?

Answer 1

These questions are always problematic. If we assume standard conditions, NATRIUM is the limiting reagent.

Explanation:

`Na(s) + 1/2Cl_2(g) rarr NaCl(s)`

We assume standard conditions. Thus, there are 5.6 mol sodium metal and 3.4 mols `Cl_2` gas, that is 6.8 mol chlorine atoms . Thus the metal is the reagent in deficiency, and we can form 5.6 mol of salt.

Most elemental gases are BIMOLECULAR under standard conditions, and this is something that an examiner would expect you to know. Note that I can think of 1 Group of gases that are unimolecular under standard conditions. Which are they?