Question

The fuel methanol (`CH_3OH`) is made by the reaction of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. What is the balanced chemical equation? How many grams of hydrogen are needed to produce 45.0 grams of methanol?

Answer 1

The balanced equation is: `2H_2+CO to CH_3OH`. It requires 2 moles of `H_2` to make each mole of `CH_3OH`, for a total of `5.64` `g` required. (See the full calculation below.)

Explanation:

The balanced equation is: `2H_2+CO to CH_3OH`.

One C, one O and 4 H on each side.

The molar mass of methanol is `12+4+16=32` `gmol^-1`

Number of moles: `n=m/M=45/32=1.41` `mol`

From the balanced equation we know that it takes 2 moles of `H_2` to produce each mole of methanol, so we need `2.82` `mol` of `H_2`.

To find the mass, `m=nM=2.82*2=5.64` `g` of `H_2`.