Consider the balanced equation below.
[tex]4 NH_3+3 O_2 \rightarrow 2 N_2+6 H_2 O[/tex]
What is the mole ratio of [tex]NH _3[/tex] to [tex]N _2[/tex]?
A. 2:4
B. 4:2
C. 4:4
D. 7:2
Answer (1)
The mole ratio of N H 3 to N 2 in the balanced equation 4 N H 3 + 3 O 2 → 2 N 2 + 6 H 2 O is determined as follows:
Identify the stoichiometric coefficients: N H 3 has a coefficient of 4, and N 2 has a coefficient of 2.
Express the mole ratio as a fraction: 2 4 .
Simplify the fraction to its simplest form: 4 : 2 .
The mole ratio of N H 3 to N 2 is 4 : 2 .
Explanation
Problem Analysis The balanced chemical equation is given as: 4 N H 3 + 3 O 2 → 2 N 2 + 6 H 2 O . We need to find the mole ratio of N H 3 to N 2 .
Identifying Coefficients From the balanced equation, the stoichiometric coefficient of N H 3 is 4, and the stoichiometric coefficient of N 2 is 2.
Expressing the Ratio The mole ratio of N H 3 to N 2 is the ratio of their stoichiometric coefficients, which is 2 4 .
Simplifying the Ratio Simplifying the fraction 2 4 , we get 2 : 1 or 4 : 2 .
Final Answer Therefore, the mole ratio of N H 3 to N 2 is 4 : 2 .
Examples
In chemistry, mole ratios are essential for stoichiometric calculations, allowing us to predict the amounts of reactants needed and products formed in a chemical reaction. For instance, if you want to produce a certain amount of nitrogen gas ( N 2 ) from ammonia ( N H 3 ), the mole ratio helps determine exactly how much ammonia you need. This is crucial in industrial processes, such as fertilizer production, where precise control over chemical reactions is necessary to maximize efficiency and minimize waste. By understanding and applying mole ratios, chemists and engineers can optimize chemical reactions for various applications.
