CHAPTER 9

Stoichiometry

Online Chemistry
Section 1
Introduction to
Stoichiometry
Section 2
Ideal Stoichiometric
Calculations
Section 3
Limiting Reactants and
Percentage Yield

Online Labs include:

Stoichiometry and Gravimetric
Analysis

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Stoichiometry

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Section 1

Introduction to
Stoichiometry
Key Terms

Main Idea
Ratios of substances in
chemical reactions can be used
as conversion factors.

>

composition stoichiometry
reaction stoichiometry
mole ratio

Much of our knowledge of chemistry is based on the careful quantitative analysis

of substances involved in chemical reactions. Composition stoichiometry deals
with the mass relationships of elements in compounds. Reaction stoichiometry
involves the mass relationships between reactants and products in a chemical
reaction. Reaction stoichiometry, the subject of this chapter, is based on chemical

Virginia standards

CH.4 The student will investigate

andunderstand that quantities in a
chemicalreaction are based on molar
relationships. Key concepts include:
CH.4.a Avogadros principle and
molarvolume.
CH.4.b stoichiometric relationships.
CH.1.EKS-19; CH.1.EKS-26; CH.4.EKS-2

equations and the law of conservation of mass. All reaction stoichiometry

calculations start with a balanced chemical equation. This equation gives the
relative numbers of moles of reactants and products.
Main Idea

Ratios of substances in chemical reactions can be

used as conversion factors.
The reaction stoichiometry problems in this chapter can be classified
according to the information given in the problem and the information
you are expected to find, the unknown. The given and the unknown may
both be reactants, they may both be products, or one may be a reactant
and the other a product. The masses are generally expressed in grams,
but you will encounter both large-scale and microscale problems with
other mass units, such as kg or mg. Stoichiometric problems are solved by
using ratios from the balanced equation to convert the given quantity.
Problem Type 1: Given and unknown quantities are amounts in moles.
When you are given the amount of a substance in moles and asked to
calculate the amount in moles of another substance in the chemical
reaction, the general plan is
amount of
given substance (mol)

amount of
unknown substance (mol)

Problem Type 2: Given is an amount in moles and unknown is a mass

that is often expressed in grams.
When you are given the amount in moles of one substance and asked to
calculate the mass of another substance in the chemical reaction, the
general plan is
amount of
given substance
(mol)

amount of
mass of
unknown substance unknown substance
(mol)
(g)
Stoichiometry

283

Problem Type 3: Given is a mass in grams and unknown is an amount

in moles.
When you are given the mass of one substance and asked to calculate the
amount in moles of another substance in the chemical reaction, the
general plan is
mass of
given
substance
(g)

amount of
given
substance
(mol)

amount of
unknown
substance
(mol)

Problem Type 4: Given is a mass in grams and unknown is a mass

in grams.
When you are given the mass of one substance and asked to calculate the
mass of another substance in the chemical reaction, the general plan is
mass of
given
substance
(g)

amount of
given
substance
(mol)

amount of
unknown
substance
(mol)

mass of
unknown
substance
(g)

Mole Ratio

Chemical Technician
Chemical technicians are highly skilled
scientific professionals who bring
valuable skills to the development
of new products, the processing
of materials, the management
of hazardous waste, regulatory
compliance, and many other aspects
of getting products and services to
the consumer. Chemical technicians
must have a solid background in
applied chemistry and mathematics
and be highly skilled in laboratory
methods. Earning an associates
degree in applied science or chemical
technology is one good way to
prepare for this career. Many chemical
technicians have a bachelors degree
in chemical technology, chemistry, or
other sciences.

Solving any reaction stoichiometry problem requires the use of a mole

ratio to convert from moles or grams of one substance in a reaction to
moles or grams of another substance. A mole ratio is a conversion factor
that relates the amounts in moles of any two substances involved in a
chemical reaction. This information is obtained directly from the balanced

chemical equation. Consider, for example, the chemical equation for the
electrolysis of melted aluminum oxide to produce aluminum and oxygen.
2Al2O3(l) 4Al(s) + 3O2(g)
Recall from your study of equations and reactions that the coefficients in
a chemical equation satisfy the law of conservation of matter and represent the relative amounts in moles of reactants and products. Therefore,
2 mol of aluminum oxide decompose to produce 4 mol of aluminum and
3 mol of oxygen gas. These relationships can be expressed in the following mole ratios.
2 mol Al2O3
4 mol Al
__

or__

4 mol Al
2 mol Al2O3
2 mol Al2O3
3 mol O2
__

or__

3 mol O2
2 mol Al2O3
3 mol O
_
4 mol Al

or_2

3 mol O2
4 mol Al
For the decomposition of aluminum oxide, the appropriate mole ratio is
used as a conversion factor to convert a given amount in moles of one
substance to the corresponding amount in moles of another substance.

284

Chapter 9

To determine the amount in moles of aluminum that can be produced

from 13.0 mol of aluminum oxide, the mole ratio needed is that of Al to
Al2O3.
13.0 mol Al2O3 __
4 mol Al
= 26.0 mol Al
2 mol Al2O3
Mole ratios are exact, so they do not limit the number of significant
figures in a calculation. The number of significant figures in the answer
is therefore determined only by the number of significant figures of any
measured quantities in a particular problem.

Molar Mass
Recall that the molar mass is the mass, in grams, of one mole of a
substance. The molar mass is the conversion factor that relates the
mass of a substance to the amount in moles of that substance. To solve
reaction stoichiometry problems, you will need to determine molar
masses using the periodic table.
Returning to the previous example, the decomposition of aluminum
oxide, the rounded masses from the periodic table are the following.
1 mol Al2O3 = 101.96 g 1 mol Al = 26.98 g 1 mol O2 = 32.00 g
These molar masses can be expressed by the following conversion factors.
1 mol Al2O3
101.96 g Al2O3
__

or__

1 mol Al2O3
101.96 g Al2O3
26.98 g Al
1 mol Al
_

or_

1 mol Al
26.98 g Al
32.00 g O2
1 mol O2
_

or_

32.00 g O2
1 mol O2
To find the number of grams of aluminum equivalent to 26.0 mol of
aluminum, the calculation would be as follows.
26.98 g Al

= 701 g Al
26.0 mol Al _

1 mol Al

Section 1 Formative ASSESSMENT

Reviewing Main Ideas
1. What is stoichiometry?
2. For each equation, write all possible mole ratios.
a. 2HgO(s) 2Hg(l) + O2(g)
b. 4NH3(g) + 6NO(g) 5N2(g) + 6H2O(l)

Critical Thinking
4. relating ideas What step must be
performed before any stoichiometry
problem is solved? Explain.

3. How is a mole ratio used in stoichiometry?

Stoichiometry

285

Chemistry EXPLORERS
The Case of
Combustion

eople throughout history have transformed

substances by burning them in air. Yet at the dawn
of the scientific revolution, very little was known
about the process of combustion. In attempting to explain this
common phenomenon, chemists of the 18th century developed
one of the first universally accepted theories in their field.
But as one man would show, scientific theories do not always
stand the test of time.
Changing Attitudes
Shunning the ancient Greek approach of logical argument based
on untested premises, investigators of the 17th century began to
understand the laws of nature by observing, measuring, and
performing experiments on the world around them. However, this
scientific method was incorporated into chemistry slowly.
Although early chemists experimented extensively, most
considered measurement to be unimportant. This viewpoint
hindered the progress of chemistry for nearly a century.
A Flawed Theory

The phlogiston theory was used to explain many chemical

observations of the day. For example, a lit candle under a glass
jar burned until the surrounding air became saturated with
phlogiston, at which time the flame died because the air inside
could not absorb more phlogiston.
A New Phase of Study
By the 1770s, the phlogiston theory had gained universal
acceptance. At that time, chemists also began to experiment
with air, which was generally believed to be an element.
286

Antoine Laurent Lavoisier helped establish

chemistry as a science.

In 1772, when Daniel Rutherford found that a mouse kept in

a closed container soon died, he explained the results based on
the phlogiston theory. Like a burning candle, the mouse
emitted phlogiston; when the air could hold no more
phlogiston, the mouse died. Thus, Rutherford figured that the
air in the container had become phlogisticated air.
A couple of years later, Joseph Priestley obtained a reddish
powder when he heated mercury in the air. He assumed that
the powder was mercury devoid of phlogiston. But when he
heated the powder, an unexpected result occurred: Metallic
mercury, along with a gas that allowed a candle to burn,
formed. Following the phlogiston theory, he believed this gas
that supports combustion to be dephlogisticated air.

Stefano Bianchetti/Corbis

By 1700, combustion was assumed to be the decomposition

of a material into simpler substances. People saw burning
substances emitting smoke and energy as heat and light.
To account for this emission, scientists proposed a theory
that combustion depended on the emission of a substance
called phlogiston (Greek, meaning burned), which appeared
as a combination of energy as heat and light while the
material was burning but which could not be detected
beforehand.

Nice Try, But . . .

Antoine Laurent Lavoisier was a meticulous scientist. He realized
that Rutherford and Priestley had carefully observed and
described their experiments but had not measured the mass of
anything. Unlike his colleagues, Lavoisier knew the importance
of using a balance. He measured the masses of reactants and
products and compared them. He observed that the total mass of
the reactants equaled the total mass of the products. Based on
these observations, which supported what would become known
as the law of conservation of mass, Lavoisier endeavored to
explain the results of Rutherford and Priestley.
Lavoisier put some tin in a closed vessel and weighed the
entire system. He then burned the tin. When he opened the
vessel, air rushed into it as if something had been removed
from the air in the vessel during combustion. He then
measured the mass of the burned metal and observed that
this mass was greater than the mass of the original tin.
Curiously, this increase in mass equaled the mass of the air
that had rushed into the vessel. To Lavoisier, this change in
mass did not support the idea of phlogiston escaping the
burning material. Instead, it indicated that during
combustion, part of the air reacted with the tin.

After obtaining similar results by using various substances,

Lavoisier concluded that air was not an element but a
mixture composed principally of two gases, Priestleys
dephlogisticated air (which Lavoisier renamed oxygen) and
Rutherfords phlogisticated air (which was mostly nitrogen
but had traces of other nonflammable atmospheric gases).
When a substance burned, it chemically combined with
oxygen, resulting in a product Lavoisier named an oxide.
Lavoisiers t heory of combustion persists today. He used the
name oxygen because he thought that all acids contained
oxygen. Oxygen means acid former.
The Father of Chemistry
By emphasizing the importance of quantitative analysis,
Lavoisier helped establish chemistry as a science. His work on
combustion laid to rest the phlogiston theory and the theory
that air is an element. He also explained why hydrogen burned
in oxygen to form water, or hydrogen oxide. He later published
one of the first chemistry textbooks, which established a
common naming system of compounds and elements and
helped unify chemistry worldwide. These accomplishments
earned Lavoisier the reputation of being the father of chemistry.

Questions
1. Why does the mass of tin increase when tin is heated in air?

TABLE OF SIMPLE SUBSTANCES

Simple substances belonging to all the kingdoms
of nature, which may be considered as the elements of bodies.

New Names

Light
Caloric
Oxygen
Azote
Hydrogen

Correspondent old Names

2. What was the composition of Priestleys dephlogisticated

air and Rutherfords phlogisticated air?

Light.
Heat.
Principle or element of heat.
Fire. Igneous fluid.
Matter of fire and of heat.
Dephlogisticated air.
Empyreal air.
Vital air, or
Base of vital air.
Phlogisticated air or gas.
Mephitis, or its base.
Inflammable air or gas,
or the base of inflammable air.

Lavoisiers concept of simple substances was published

in his book Elements of Chemistry in 1789.

287
Linda Wilbourn

Section 2
Main Ideas
Balanced equations give
amounts of reactants and
products under ideal conditions.
Mole-to-gram calculations
require two conversion factors.
Gram-to-mole conversions
require the molar mass of
the given substance and
the mole ratio.
Mass-to-mass calculations use
the mole ratio and the molar
masses of the given and
unknown substances.

>

Virginia standards

CH.4.b The student will investigate

andunderstand that chemical quantities are
based on molar relationships. Key concepts
include: stoichiometric relationships.
CH.1.EKS-19; CH.4.EKS-2

Ideal Stoichiometric
Calculations
A balanced chemical equation is the key step in all stoichiometric calculations,
because the mole ratio is obtained directly from it. Solving any reaction
stoichiometry problem must begin with a balanced equation.
Chemical equations help us plan the amounts of reactants to use in a chemical
reaction without having to run the reaction in the laboratory. The reaction
stoichiometry calculations described in this chapter are theoretical. They tell us
the amounts of reactants and products for a given chemical reaction under ideal
conditions, in which all reactants are completely converted into products. However,
many reactions do not proceed such that all reactants are completely converted into
products. Theoretical stoichiometric calculations allow us to determine the maximum
amount of product that could be obtained in a reaction when the reactants are not
pure or when by-products are formed in addition to the expected products.
Solving stoichiometric problems requires practice. Practice by working the
sample problems in the rest of this chapter. Using a logical, systematic approach
will help you successfully solve these problems.
Main Idea

Balanced equations give amounts of reactants and

products under ideal conditions.
In these stoichiometric problems, you are asked to calculate the amount
in moles of one substance that will react with or be produced from the
given amount in moles of another substance. The plan for a simple mole
conversion problem is
amount of
given substance (mol)

amount of
unknown substance (mol)

This plan requires one conversion factorthe stoichiometric mole ratio

of the unknown substance to the given substance from the balanced
equation. To solve this type of problem, simply multiply the known
quantity by the appropriate conversion factor (see Figure 2.1).
given quantity conversion factor = unknown quantity

Figure 2.1

Mole-to-Mole Conversions This

is a solution plan for problems in which
the given and unknown quantities are
expressed in moles.

Amount of
given
substance
(mol)
GIVEN IN
THE PROBLEM

288

Chapter 9

Mole ratio
(Balanced equation)
mol unknown
mol given
CONVERSION FACTOR

Amount of
unknown
substance
(mol)
CALCULATED

Stoichiometric Calculations Using Mole Ratios

Sample Problem A In a spacecraft, the carbon dioxide exhaled by astronauts can be
removed by its reaction with lithium hydroxide, LiOH, according to the following
chemical equation.
CO2(g) + 2LiOH(s) Li2CO3(s) + H2O(l)
How many moles of lithium hydroxide are required to react with 20 mol CO2, the average
amount exhaled by a person each day?

Analyze

Given:

amount of CO2 = 20 mol

Unknown:

amount of LiOH (mol)

amount of CO2 (mol) amount of LiOH (mol)

PLAN

This problem requires one conversion factorthe mole ratio of LiOH to CO2.
The mole ratio is obtained from the balanced chemical equation. Because you
are given moles of CO2, select a mole ratio that will cancel mol CO2 and give
you mol LiOH in your final answer. The correct ratio has the following units.
mol LiOH
_

mol CO2
This ratio cancels mol CO2 and gives the units mol LiOH in the answer.
mol ratio

mol LiOH

= mol LiOH
mol CO2 _
mol CO2

Substitute the values in the equation in step 2, and compute the answer.

Solve

2 mol LiOH

= 40 mol LiOH
20 mol CO2 __
1 mol CO2

CHECK YOUR
WORK

The answer is written correctly with one significant figure to match the
number of significant figures in the given 20 mol CO2, and the units cancel to
leave mol LiOH, which is the unknown. The balanced equation shows that
twice the amount in moles of LiOH reacts with CO2. Therefore, the answer
should be 2 20 = 40.

Answers in Appendix E

1. Ammonia, NH3, is widely used as a fertilizer and as an ingredient in many household

cleaners. How many moles of ammonia are produced when 6mol of hydrogen gas react
with an excess of nitrogen gas?
2. The decomposition of potassium chlorate, KClO3, into KCl and O2 is used as a source of
oxygen in the laboratory. How many moles of potassium chlorate are needed to produce
15 mol of oxygen gas?

Stoichiometry

289

Main Idea

Mole-to-gram calculations require two conversion

factors.
In these stoichiometric calculations, you are asked to calculate the mass
(usually in grams) of a substance that will react with or be produced from
a given amount in moles of a second substance. The plan for these
mole-to-gram conversions is
amount of
given substance
(mol)
check for understanding
Explain Why might it be important
for a chemist to be able to calculate,
in advance, how much product a
chemical reaction would yield?

amount of
mass of
unknown substance unknown substance
(mol)
(g)

This plan requires two conversion factorsthe mole ratio of the unknown
substance to the given substance and the molar mass of the unknown
substance for the mass conversion. To solve this kind of problem, you
simply multiply the known quantity, which is the amount in moles, by the
appropriate conversion f actors (see Figure 2.2 on the next page).

Stoichiometric Calculations Using Mole Ratios

Sample Problem B In photosynthesis, plants use energy from the sun to produce
glucose, C6H12O6, and oxygen from the reaction of carbon dioxide and water. What mass, in
grams, of glucose is produced when 3.00 mol of water react with carbon dioxide?
Analyze

PLAN

Given:

amount of H2O = 3.00 mol

Unknown:

mass of C6H12O6 produced (g)

You must start with a balanced equation.

6CO2(g) + 6H2O(l) C6H12O6(s) + 6O2(g)
Given the amount in mol of H2O, you need to get the mass of C6H12O6 in
grams. Two conversion factors are neededthe mole ratio of C6H12O6 to H2O
and the molar mass of C6H12O6.
mol ratio

molar mass factor

O6
g C6H12
mol C6H

O6
12

= g C6H12O6
__
mol H2O __

mol C6H12O6
mol H2O
Solve

Use the periodic table to compute the molar mass of C6H12O6.

C6H12O6 = 180.18 g/mol
180.18 g C6H12O6
1 mol C6H12O6
3.00 mol H2O __

= 90.1 g C6H12O6

__

1 mol C6H12O6
6 mol H2O

CHECK YOUR
WORK

290

Chapter 9

The answer is correctly rounded to three significant figures, to match those in

3.00 mol H2O. The units cancel in the problem, leaving g C6H12O6 as the units
for the answer, which matches the unknown. The answer is reasonable
because it is one-half of 180.

Figure 2.2

Mole-to-Gram Conversions This is a solution plan for problems in which the

given quantity is expressed in moles, and the unknown quantity is expressed in grams.

Amount of
given
substance
(in mol)

Mole ratio
(Equation)

Molar mass
(Periodic table)

mol given
mol unknown

Molar mass of unknown

(in g/mol)

CONVERSION FACTORS

Mass of
unknown
substance
(in g)
CALCULATED

GIVEN IN
THE PROBLEM

Stoichiometric Calculations Using Mole Ratios

Sample Problem C What mass of carbon dioxide, in grams, is needed to react with 3.00
mol H2O in the photosynthetic reaction described in Sample Problem B?
Analyze

Given:

Linda Wilbourn
amount
of H2O = 3.00 mol

Unknown:

mass of
5thCO
PASS
2 (g)

8/20/97

MC99PEC09000003A

The chemical equation from Sample Problem B is

PLAN

6CO2(g) + 6H2O(l) C6H12O6(s) + 6O2(g).

Two conversion factors are neededthe mole ratio of CO2 to H2O and the
molar mass factor of CO2.
mol ratio

Solve

molar mass factor

g CO
mol CO2

mol H2O _
= g CO2
_

mol CO2
mol H2O
Use the periodic table to compute the molar mass of CO2.
CO2 = 44.01 g/mol
44.01 g CO2
6 mol CO2

__

= 132 g CO2
3.00 mol H2O _
6 mol H2O
1 mol CO2

CHECK YOUR
WORK

The answer is rounded correctly to three significant figures to match those in

3.00 mol H2O. The units cancel to leave g CO2, which is the unknown. The
answer is close to an estimate of 120, which is 3 40.

Answers in Appendix E

1. When magnesium burns in air, it combines with oxygen to form magnesium oxide
according to the following equation.
2Mg(s) + O2(g) 2MgO(s)
What mass in grams of magnesium oxide is produced from 2.00 mol of magnesium?
2. What mass of glucose can be produced from a photosynthesis reaction that occurs using
10 mol CO2?

6CO2(g) + 6H2O(l) C6H12O6(aq) + 6O2(g)

Stoichiometry

291

Main Idea

Gram-to-mole conversions require the molar mass of

the given substance and the mole ratio.
In these stoichiometric calculations, you are asked to calculate the
amount in moles of one substance that will react with or be produced
from a given mass of another substance. In this type of problem, you are
starting with a mass (probably in grams) of some substance. The plan for
this conversion is
amount of
amount of
mass of
given substance given substance unknown substance
(g)
(mol)
(mol)
This route requires two additional pieces of data: the molar mass of
the given substance and the mole ratio. The molar mass is determined by
using masses from the periodic table. We will follow a procedure much
like the one used previously by using the units of the molar mass conversion factor to guide our mathematical operations. Because the known
quantity is a mass, the conversion factor will need to be 1 mol divided by
molar mass. This conversion factor cancels units of grams and leaves
units of moles (see Figure 2.3 below).
You should take time at this point to look at each type of stoichiometric conversion and make note that in every type, you must begin with a
correctly balanced chemical equation. It is important to remember that
without a balanced equation, you will not have an accurate molar ratio
and will not be able to calculate the correct molar mass to use in your
conversions.
If you are still struggling with balancing equations, it is highly
recommended that you continue to practice the process. The skill of
balancing chemical equations will be used continuously throughout the
remainder of the course.
Figure 2.3

Gram-to-Mole Conversions This is a solution plan for problems in which the

given quantity is expressed in grams, and the unknown quantity is expressed in moles.

Mass of
given
substance
(g)

Molar mass factor

(Periodic table)

Mole ratio
(Balanced equation)

1 mol given
Molar mass of
given (g)

mol unknown
mol given

CONVERSION FACTORS
GIVEN IN
THE PROBLEM

292

Chapter 9

Amount of
unknown
substance
(mol)
CALCULATED

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Sample Problem D The first step in the industrial manufacture of

nitric acid is the catalytic oxidation of ammonia.

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NH3(g) + O2(g) NO(g) + H2O(g) (unbalanced)

The reaction is run using 824 g NH3 and excess oxygen.
a. How many moles of NO are formed?
b. How many moles of H2O are formed?
Analyze

Given:

mass of NH3 = 824 g

Unknown:

a. amount of NO produced (mol)

b. amount of H2O produced (mol)

First, write the balanced chemical equation.

PLAN

4NH3(g) + 5O2(g) 4NO(g) + 6H2O(g)

Two conversion factors are needed to solve part (a)the molar mass factor for
NH3 and the mole ratio of NO to NH3. Part (b) starts with the same conversion
factor as part (a), but then the mole ratio of H2O to NH3 is used to convert to
the amount in moles of H2O. The first conversion factor in each part is the
molar mass factor of NH3.
molar mass factor

mol ratio

1 mol NH

mol NO
_
3

mol NH
a. g NH3 _
= mol NO

g NH
3
3

molar mass factor mol ratio

1 mol NH

mol H2O
3

_
b. g NH3 _
= mol H2O

g NH3
mol NH3
Use the periodic table to compute the molar mass of NH3.

Solve

1 mol NH3 = 17.04 g /mol

1 mol NH3
a. 824 g NH3 __

= 48.4 mol NO

_
4 mol NO
17.04 g NH3
4 mol NH3
1 mol NH3
6 mol H2O
b. 824 g NH3 __

= 72.5 mol H2O

17.04 g NH3
4 mol NH3
CHECK YOUR
WORK

The answers are correctly given to three significant figures. The units cancel
in the two problems to leave mol NO and mol H2O, respectively, which are
the unknowns.

Answers in Appendix E

Oxygen was discovered by Joseph Priestley in 1774 when he heated mercury(II) oxide to decompose it to
form its constituent elements.
1. How many moles of mercury(II) oxide, HgO, are needed to produce 125 g of oxygen, O2?
2. How many moles of mercury are produced?

Stoichiometry

293

Figure 2.4

Mass-to-Mass Conversions This is a solution plan for problems in which the

given quantity is expressed in grams, and the unknown quantity is also expressed in grams.

Mass of
given
substance
(g)

Molar mass factor

(Periodic table)

Mole ratio
(Balanced equation)

Molar mass factor

(Periodic table)

1 mol given
Molar mass of
given (g)

mol unknown
mol given

Molar mass
of unknown (g)
1 mol unknown

Mass of
unknown
substance
(g)

CONVERSION FACTORS

GIVEN IN
THE PROBLEM

CALCULATED

Main Idea

Mass-to-mass calculations use the mole ratio and

the molar masses of the given and unknown
substances.
Mass-mass calculations are more practical than other mole calculations
you have studied. You can never measure moles directly. You are generally required to calculate the amount in moles of a substance from its
mass, which you can measure in the lab. Mass-mass problems can be
viewed as the combination of the other types of problems. The plan for
solving mass-mass problems is
mass of
given
substance
(g)

amount of
given
substance
(mol)

amount of
unknown
substance
(mol)

mass of
unknown
substance
(g)

Three additional pieces of data are needed to solve mass-mass problems:

the molar mass of the given substance, the mole ratio, and the molar
mass of the unknown substance (see Figure 2.4 above).

Stoichiometric Calculations Using Mole Ratios

Sample Problem E Tin(II) fluoride, SnF2, is used in some toothpastes. It is made by the
reaction of tin with hydrogen fluoride according to the following equation.
Sn(s) + 2HF(g) SnF2(s) + H2(g)
How many grams of SnF2 are produced from the reaction of 30.00 g HF with Sn?
Analyze

PLAN

Given:

amount of HF = 3.00 g

Unknown:

mass of SnF2 produced (g)

The conversion factors needed are the molar masses of HF and SnF2 and the
mole ratio of SnF2 to HF.
molar mass factor

mol ratio

molar mass factor

g SnF

mol SnF
mol HF
_
2
2
_

g HF g HF
_
= g SnF2
mol SnF
mol HF
2

Continued
294

Chapter 9

Stoichiometric Calculations Using Mole Ratios (continued)

Use the periodic table to compute the molar masses of HF and SnF2.

Solve

1 mol HF = 20.01 g
1 mol SnF2 = 156.71 g
156.71 g SnF2
1 mol SnF2 __
1 mol HF
= 117.5 g SnF2
30.00 g HF _

__

20.01g HF
2 mol HF
1 mol SnF2
CHECK YOUR
WORK

The answer is correctly rounded to four significant figures. The units cancel to
leave g SnF2, which matches the unknown. The answer is close to an estimated
value of 120.

Answers in Appendix E

1. Laughing gas (nitrous oxide, N2O) is sometimes used as an anesthetic in dentistry. It is

produced when ammonium nitrate is decomposed according to the following reaction.
NH4NO3(s) N2O(g) + 2H2O(l)
a. How many grams of NH4NO3 are required to produce 33.0 g N2O?
b. How many grams of water are produced in this reaction?
2. When copper metal is added to silver nitrate in solution, silver metal and copper(II) nitrate
are produced. What mass of silver is produced from 100. g Cu?
3. What mass of aluminum is produced by the decomposition of 5.0 kg Al2O3?

Section 2 Formative ASSESSMENT

Reviewing Main Ideas
1. Balance the following equation. Then, given the
moles of reactant or product below, determine
the corresponding amount in moles of each of
the other reactants and products.
NH3 + O2 N2 + H2O

a. 4 mol NH3 b. 4 mol N2 c. 4.5 mol O2

2. One reaction that produces hydrogen gas can be

represented by the following unbalanced chemical equation:
Mg(s) + HCl(aq) MgCl2(aq) + H2(g)

a. What mass of HCl is consumed by the

reaction of 2.50 moles of magnesium?

b. What mass of each product is produced in

part (a)?

3. Acetylene gas, C2H2, is produced as a result of

the following reaction:
CaC2(s) + 2H2O(l) C2H2(g) + Ca(OH)2(aq)

a. If 32.0 g CaC2 are consumed in this reaction,

how many moles of H2O are needed?

b. How many moles of each product would

form?

4. When sodium chloride reacts with silver nitrate,

silver chloride precipitates. What mass of AgCl is
produced from 75.0 g AgNO3?

Critical Thinking
5. RELATING IDEAS Carbon and oxygen react to
form carbon monoxide: 2C + O2 2CO. What
masses of carbon and oxygen are needed to
make 56.0 g CO? Which law does this illustrate?

Stoichiometry

295

Section 3
Main Ideas
One reactant limits the product
of a reaction.
Comparing the actual and
theoretical yields helps
chemists determine the
reactions efficiency.

>

Limiting Reactants
and Percentage Yield
Key Terms
limiting reactant
excess reactant

Virginia standards

CH.1 The student will investigate and

understand that experiments in which variables
are measured, analyzed, and evaluated
produce observations and verifiable data. Key
concepts include:
CH.1.a designated laboratory techniques.
CH.1.b safe use of chemicals and equipment.
CH.4.b The student will investigate
andunderstand that chemical quantities are
based on molar relationships. Key concepts
include: stoichiometric relationships.
CH.4.EKS-3; CH.4.EKS-4

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theoretical yield
actual yield

percentage yield

In the laboratory, a reaction is rarely carried out with exactly the required amount of
each of the reactants. In many cases, one or more reactants is present in excess;
that is, there is more than the exact amount required to react.
Main Idea

One reactant limits the product of a reaction.

Once one of the reactants is used up, no more product can be formed.
The substance that is completely used up first in a reaction is called the
limiting reactant. The limiting reactant is the reactant that limits the amount
of the other reactant that can combine and the amount of product that can
form in a chemical reaction. The substance that is not used up completely in a
reaction is called the excess r eactant. A limiting reactant may also be

referred to as a limiting reagent.

Chemistry

HMDScience.com

Consider the reaction between carbon and oxygen:

C(s) + O2(g) CO2(g)

Limiting Reactants

According to the equation, one mole of carbon reacts with one mole of
oxygen to form one mole of carbon dioxide. Suppose you could mix
5 mol C with 10 mol O2 and allow the reaction to take place. Figure 3.1
shows that there is more oxygen than is needed to react with the carbon.
Carbon is the limiting reactant in this situation, and it limits the amount
of CO2 that is formed. Oxygen is the excess reactant, and 5 mol O2 will be
left over at the end of the reaction.

Figure 3.1

Limiting Reactants Carbon and oxygen always react in the same molar ratio to form carbon dioxide.
critical thinking
Explain Which substance is the limiting reactant in this chemical reaction? Explain your answer.

5 carbon
atoms
296

Chapter 9

10 oxygen
molecules

5 carbon dioxide
molecules

5 oxygen molecules
in EXCESS

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Solve It! Cards

Limiting Reactant

HMDScience.com

Sample Problem F Silicon dioxide (quartz) is usually quite unreactive

but reacts readily with hydrogen fluoride according to the following
equation.
SiO2(s) + 4HF(g) SiF4(g) + 2H2O(l)
If 6.0 mol HF are added to 4.5 mol SiO2, which is the limiting reactant?
Analyze

Given:

amount of HF = 6.0 mol

amount of SiO2 = 4.5 mol

Unknown:

limiting reactant

Pick one of the products, in this case SiF4. Use the given amounts of each
reactant to calculate the amount of SiF4 that could be produced from that
reactant. Compare the amounts of SiF4. The limiting reactant is the reactant
that produces the smallest number of moles of SiF4. The smallest amount of
product is also the maximum amount that can be formed.

PLAN

mol SiF
mol SiF4
mol HF _4

= mol SiF4 produced

= mol SiF4 produced mol SiO2 _
mol HF
mol SiO2

1 mol SiF4

= 1.5 mol SiF4 produced

6.0 mol HF _

4 mol HF
1 mol SiF4
4.5 mol SiO2 _

= 4.5 mol SiF4 produced

1 mol SiO2

Solve

Under ideal conditions, 6.0 mol HF can make 1.5 mol SiF4, and 4.5 mol SiO2
present can make 4.5 mol SiF4. Because 1.5 mol SiF4 is smaller than 4.5 mol
SiF4, the HF is the limiting reactant, and SiO2 is the excess reactant.

CHECK YOUR
WORK

From the balanced equation, we can see that the reaction requires four times
the number of moles of HF as it does moles of SiO2. Because the molar amount
of HF that we have is less than four times the moles of SiO2, our calculations
clearly show that HF is the limiting reactant.

Answers in Appendix E

1. Some rocket engines use a mixture of hydrazine, N2H4, and hydrogen peroxide, H2O2, as
the propellant. The reaction is given by the following equation.
N2H4(l) + 2H2O2(l) N2(g) + 4H2O(g)

a. Which is the limiting reactant in this reaction, when 0.750 mol N2H4 is mixed with
0.500 mol H2O2?

b. How much of the excess reactant, in moles, remains unchanged?

c. How much of each product, in moles, is formed?
Stoichiometry

297

Limiting Reactant
Sample Problem G The black oxide of iron, Fe3O4, occurs in nature as the mineral
magnetite. This substance can also be made in the laboratory by the reaction between
red-hot iron and steam according to the following equation.
3Fe(s) + 4H2O(g) Fe3O4(s) + 4H2(g)
a. When 36.0 g H2O are mixed with 67.0 g Fe, which is the limiting reactant?
b. What mass in grams of black iron oxide is produced?
c. What mass in grams of excess reactant remains when the reaction is completed?
Analyze

Given:

mass of H2O = 36.0 g

mass of Fe = 67.0 g

Unknown:

limiting reactant
mass of Fe3O4, in grams
mass of excess reactant remaining

PLAN

a. First, convert both given masses in grams to amounts in moles.

Then, calculate the number of moles of one of the products.
Because the problem asks for the mass of Fe3O4 formed, we
will calculate moles of Fe3O4. The reactant yielding the smaller
number of moles of product is the limiting reactant.
molar mass factor

mol ratio

molar mass factor

mol ratio

mol Fe

mol Fe3O
4
= mol Fe3O4
g Fe _

g Fe
mol Fe

mol H

mol Fe3O
4
2O
= mol Fe3O4
g H2O _

g H2O
mol H2O
b. To find the maximum mass of Fe3O4 that can be produced,
we must use the amount of Fe3O4 in moles from the limiting
reactant in a simple stoichiometric problem.
molar mass factor

g Fe3O

= g Fe3O4 produced
mole Fe3O4 from limiting reactant __
mol Fe3O4
c. To find the amount of excess reactant remaining, we must first
determine the amount of the excess reactant that is consumed.
The calculated moles of the product (from the limiting
reactant) is used to determine the amount of excess reactant
that is consumed.
mol excess reactant

mol product __
mol product
g excess reactant
__

= g excess reactant consumed

mol excess reactant
The amount of excess reactant remaining can then be found by subtracting
the amount consumed from the amount originally present.
original g excess reactant - g excess reactant consumed

= g excess reactant remaining

Continued
298

Chapter 9

Limiting Reactant (continued)

a. Use the periodic table to determine the molar masses of H2O,
Fe, and Fe3O4. Then, determine how many mol Fe3O4 can be
produced from each reactant.
1 mol H2O = 18.02 g
1 mol Fe = 55.85 g
1 mol Fe3O4 = 231.55 g

Solve

1 mol Fe3O4
67.0 g Fe _
1 mol Fe

= 0.400 mol Fe3O4

__

55.85 g Fe
3 mol Fe

1 mol Fe3O4
1 mol H2O
36.0 g H2O __

__

= 0.499 mol Fe3O4

18.02 g H2O
4 mol H2O
Fe is the limiting reactant, because the given amount of Fe can make only
0.400 mol Fe3O4, which is less than the 0.499 mol Fe3O4 that the given amount
of H2O would produce.
231.55 g Fe3O4
b. 0.400 mol Fe3O4 __

= 92.6 g Fe3O4
1 mol Fe3O4
4 mol H2O
18.02 g H2O
c.0.400 mol Fe3O4 __

__

= 28.8 g H2O consumed

1 mol Fe3O4
1 mol H2O
36.0 g H2O - 28.8 g H2O consumed = 7.2 g H2O remaining

CHECK YOUR
WORK

The mass of original reactants is 67.0 + 36.0 = 103.0 g; the mass of

Fe3O4 + unreacted water is 92.6 g + 7.2 g = 99.8 g. The difference of 3.2 g
is the mass of hydrogen that is produced with the Fe3O4.

Answers in Appendix E

1. Zinc and sulfur react to form zinc sulfide according to the following equation.
8Zn(s) + S8(s) 8ZnS(s)
a. If 2.00 mol of Zn are heated with 1.00 mol of S8, identify the limiting reactant.
b. How many moles of excess reactant remain?
c. How many moles of the product are formed?
2. Carbon reacts with steam, H2O, at high temperatures to produce hydrogen and carbon
monoxide.
a. If 2.40 mol of carbon are exposed to 3.10 mol of steam, identify the limiting reactant.
b. How many moles of each product are formed?
c. What mass of each product is formed?

Stoichiometry

299

Limiting Reactants in a Recipe

Procedure
1. In the mixing bowl, combine
the sugars and margarine
together until smooth. (An
electric mixer will make this
process go much faster.)
2. Add the egg, salt, and vanilla.
Mix well.
3. Stir in the baking soda, flour,
and chocolate chips. Chill the
dough for an hour in the
refrigerator for best results.
4. Divide the dough into 24 small
balls about 3 cm in diameter.
Place the balls on an ungreased cookie sheet.
5. Bake at 350F for about
10 minutes, or until the cookies
are light brown.
Yield: 24 cookies

Discussion
1. Suppose you are given the
following amounts of
ingredients:
1 dozen eggs
24 tsp. of vanilla
1 lb. (82 tsp.) of salt
1 lb. (84 tsp.) of baking soda
3 cups of chocolate chips
5 lb. (11 cups) of sugar
2 lb. (4 cups) of brown sugar
1 lb. (4 sticks) of margarine
a. For each ingredient, calculate
how many cookies could be
prepared if all of that ingredient

300

Chapter 9

were consumed. (For example,

the recipe shows that using
1eggwith the right amounts
of the other ingredientsyields
24cookies. How many cookies
can you make if the recipe is
increased proportionately for
12eggs?)
b. To determine the limiting
reactant for the new ingredients
list, identify which ingredient
will result in the fewest number
of cookies.
c. What is the maximum number
of cookies that can be
produced from the new
amounts of ingredients?

Materials
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 1/3 stick margarine
(at room temperature)
1 egg
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 cup flour
1 1/3 cup chocolate chips
mixing bowl
mixing spoon
measuring spoons and cups
cookie sheet
oven preheated to 350F

Main Idea

Comparing the actual and theoretical yields helps

chemists determine the reactions efficiency.
The amounts of products calculated in the ideal stoichiometry problems
in this chapter so far represent theoretical yields. The theoretical yield is
the maximum amount of product that can be produced from a given amount of
reactant. In most chemical reactions, the amount of product obtained is

less than the theoretical yield. There are many reasons for this result.
Reactants may contain impurities or may form by-products in competing
side reactions. Also, in many reactions, all reactants are not converted to
products. As a result, less product is produced than ideal stoichiometric
calculations predict. The measured amount of a product obtained from a
reaction is called the actual yield of that product.

Chemists are usually interested in the efficiency of a reaction. The

efficiency is expressed by comparing the actual and theoretical yields.

check for understanding

Explain Explain why it might be
necessary for a chemist in industry
to find out how efficient a chemical
reaction is.

The percentage yield is the ratio of the actual yield to the theoretical yield,
multiplied by 100.

actual yield
theoretical yield

Percentage Yield = __

100

Percentage Yield
Sample Problem H Chlorobenzene, C6H5Cl, is used in the production of many
important chemicals, such as aspirin, dyes, and disinfectants. One industrial method of
preparing chlorobenzene is to react benzene, C6H6, with chlorine, as represented by the
following equation.
C6H6(l) + Cl2(g) C6H5Cl(l) + HCl(g)
When 36.8 g C6H6 react with an excess of Cl2, the actual yield of C6H5Cl is 38.8 g.
What is the percentage yield of C6H5Cl?
Analyze

PLAN

Given:

mass of C6H6 = 36.8 g

mass of Cl2 = excess
actual yield of C6H5Cl = 38.8 g

Unknown:

percentage yield of C6H5Cl

First do a mass-mass calculation to find the theoretical yield of C6H5Cl.

molar mass factor

mol ratio

molar mass

g C6H5
mol C6
H6
Cl
Cl
mol C6H5
= g C6H5Cl (theoretical yield)
__
g C6H6 _

__

g C6H6
mol C6H5Cl
mol C6H6
Then the percentage yield can be found.
actual yield
percentage yield C6H5Cl = __

100
theoretical yield

Continued
Stoichiometry

301

Percentage Yield (continued)

Use the periodic table to determine the molar masses of C6H6 and C6H5Cl.
1 mol C6H6 = 78.12 g
1 mol C6H5Cl = 112.56 g

Solve

1 mol C6H6
1 mol C6H5Cl __
112.56 g C6H5Cl
36.8 g C6H6 __

__

= 53.0 g C6H5Cl
78.12 g C6H6
1 mol C6H6
1 mol C6H5Cl

(theoretical yield)
38.8 g
percentage yield = _

100 = 73.2%
53.0 g
CHECK YOUR
WORK

The answer is correctly rounded to three significant figures to match those

in 36.8 g C6H6. The units have canceled correctly. The theoretical yield is
close to an estimated value of 50 g (one-half of 100 g). The percentage yield is
close to an estimated value of 80% (40/50 100).

Answers in Appendix E

1. Methanol can be produced through the reaction of CO and H2 in the presence of a catalyst.
catalyst
CO(g) + 2H2(g)

CH3OH(l)
If 75.0 g of CO react to produce 68.4 g CH3OH, what is the percentage yield of CH3OH?
2. Aluminum reacts with excess copper(II) sulfate according to the reaction given below.
If 1.85 g of Al react, and the percentage yield of Cu is 56.6%, what mass of Cu is produced?
Al(s) + CuSO4(aq) Al2(SO4)3(aq) + Cu(s) (unbalanced)

Section 3 Formative ASSESSMENT

Reviewing Main Ideas
1. Carbon disulfide burns in oxygen to yield carbon
dioxide and sulfur dioxide according to the
following chemical equation.
CS2(l) + 3O2(g) CO2(g) + 2SO2(g)
a. If 1.00 mol CS2 reacts with 1.00 mol O2,
identify the limiting reactant.
b. How many moles of excess reactant remain?
c. How many moles of each product are formed?
2. Metallic magnesium reacts with steam to produce
magnesium hydroxide and hydrogen gas.
a. If 16.2 g Mg are heated with 12.0 g H2O, what
is the limiting reactant?
b. How many moles of the excess reactant are left?
c. How many grams of each product are formed?

302

Chapter 9

3. Quicklime, CaO, can be prepared by roasting

limestone, CaCO3, according to the following
reaction.
CaO(s) + CO (g).
CaCO3(s)

2

When 2.00 103 g CaCO3 are heated, the actual

yield of CaO is 1.05 103 g. What is the
percentage yield?

Critical Thinking
4. ANALYZING DATA A chemical engineer
calculated that 15.0 mol H2 was needed to react
with excess N2 to prepare 10.0 mol NH3. But the
actual yield is 60.0%. Write a balanced chemical
equation for the reaction. Is the amount of H2
needed to make 10.0 mol NH3 more than, the
same as, or less than 15 mol? How many moles
of H2 are needed?

Math Tutor

Using Mole Ratios

An unbalanced chemical equation tells you what substances

react and what products are produced. A balanced chemical
equation gives you even more information. It tells you how
many atoms, molecules, or ions react and how many atoms,
molecules, or ions are produced. The coefficients in a balanced

equation represent the relative amounts in moles of reactants

and products. Using this information, you can set up a mole
ratio. A mole ratio is a conversion factor that relates the
amounts in moles of any two substances involved in a
chemical reaction.

Problem-Solving TIPS
When solving stoichiometric problems, always start with a balanced chemical equation.
Identify the amount known from the problem (in moles or mass).
If you are given the mass of a substance, use the molar mass factor as a conversion factor to
find the amount in moles. If you are given the amount in moles of a substance, use the
molar mass factor as a conversion factor to find the mass.

Sample Problem
If 3.61 g of aluminum reacts completely with excess CuCl2, what mass of copper metal is
produced? Use the balanced equation below.
2Al(s) + 3CuCl2(aq) 2AlCl3(aq) + 3Cu(s)
You know the mass of aluminum that reacts. If you convert that mass to moles, you can apply the mole
ratio of aluminum to copper in this reaction to find the moles of copper produced.
1 mol Al

= 0.134 mol Al
mol Al = 3.61 g Al _
26.98 g Al
mol Al _
3 mol Cu
= mol Cu
2 mol Al
0.134 mol Al _
3 mol Cu
= 0.201 mol Cu
2 mol Al
Then, convert moles of Cu to mass of Cu by applying the following factor:
63.55 g Cu
molar mass
Cu

= 12.8 g Cu
mol Cu __

= mass Cu, or 0.201 mol Cu _

1 mol Cu
1 mol Cu

1. If 12.24 moles of O2 react with excess SO2, how many moles of SO3 are formed? Use the
balanced equation below.
2SO2(g) + O2(g) 2SO3(g)
2. If 78.50 g KClO3 decomposes, what mass of O2 is produced? Use the balanced
equation below.
2KClO3(s) 2KCl(s) + 3O2(g)

Math Tutor

303

Chapter 9

Summary

Section 1 Introduction

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to Stoichiometry

Reaction stoichiometry involves the mass relationships between reactants

and products in a chemical reaction.
Relating one substance to another requires expressing the amount of each
substance in moles.

Review Games
Concept Maps

Key Terms

composition stoichiometry
reaction stoichiometry
mole ratio

A mole ratio is the conversion factor that relates the amount in moles of any
two substances in a chemical reaction. The mole ratio is derived from the
balanced equation.
Amount of a substance is expressed in moles, and mass of a substance is
expressed by using mass units such as grams, kilograms, or milligrams.
Mass and amount of substance are quantities, whereas moles and grams
are units.
A balanced chemical equation is necessary to solve any stoichiometric
problem.

Section 2 Ideal

Stoichiometric Calculations

In an ideal stoichiometric calculation, the mass or the amount of any

reactant or product can be calculated if the balanced chemical equation
and the mass or amount of any other reactant or product is known.

Section 3 Limiting

Reactants and Percentage Yield

In actual reactions, the reactants may be present in proportions that differ

from the stoichiometric proportions required for a complete reaction in
which all of each reactant is converted to product.
The limiting reactant controls the maximum possible amount of product
formed.
For many reactions, the quantity of a product is less than the theoretical
maximum for that product. Percentage yield shows the relationship
between the theoretical yield and actual yield for the product of a reaction.

304

Chapter 9

Key Terms

limiting reactant
excess reactant
theoretical yield
actual yield
percentage yield

Chapter 9

Review

Section 1

Introduction to Stoichiometry
REVIEWing main Ideas
1. a. Explain the concept of mole ratio as used in
reaction stoichiometry problems.
b. What is the source of this ratio?
2. For each of the following balanced chemical
equations, write all possible mole ratios:
a. 2Ca + O2 2CaO
b. Mg + 2HF MgF2 + H2

Practice Problems
3. Given the chemical equation Na2CO3(aq) + Ca(OH)2
2NaOH(aq) + CaCO3(s), determine to two decimal
places the molar masses of all substances involved.
Then, write the molar masses as conversion factors.
Section 2

Ideal Stoichiometric
Calculations
REVIEWing main Ideas
4. a. What is molar mass?
b. What is its role in reaction stoichiometry?

Practice Problems
5. Hydrogen and oxygen react under a specific set
of conditions to produce water according to the
following: 2H2(g) + O2(g) 2H2O(g).
a. How many moles of hydrogen would be required
to produce 5.0 mol of water?
b. How many moles of oxygen would be required?
(Hint: See Sample Problem A.)
6. a. If 4.50 mol of ethane, C2H6, undergo
combustion according to the unbalanced equation
C2H6 + O2 CO2 + H2O, how many moles of
oxygen are required?
b. How many moles of each product are formed?

8. In a blast furnace, iron(lll) oxide is used to produce

iron by the following (unbalanced) reaction:
Fe2O3(s) + CO(g) Fe(s) + CO2(g)
a. If 4.00 kg Fe2O3 are available to react, how many
moles of CO are needed?
b. How many moles of each product are formed?
9. Methanol, CH3OH, is an important industrial
compound that is produced from the following
(unbalanced) reaction: CO(g) + H2(g)
CH3OH(g). What mass of each reactant would be
needed to produce 100.0 kg of methanol? (Hint: See
Sample Problem E.)
10. During lightning flashes, nitrogen combines with
oxygen in the atmosphere to form nitrogen monoxide, NO, which then reacts further with O2 to produce
nitrogen dioxide, NO2.
a. What mass of NO2 is formed when NO reacts with
384 g O2?
b. How many grams of NO are required to react with
this amount of O2?
11. As early as 1938, the use of NaOH was suggested
as a means of removing CO2 from the cabin of a
spacecraft according to the following (unbalanced)
reaction: NaOH + CO2 Na2CO3 + H2O.
a. If the average human body discharges 925.0 g CO2
per day, how many moles of NaOH are needed
each day for each person in the spacecraft?
b. How many moles of each product are formed?
12. The double-replacement reaction between silver
nitrate and sodium bromide produces silver bromide,
a component of photographic film.
a. If 4.50 mol of silver nitrate react, what mass of
sodium bromide is required?
b. What mass of silver bromide is formed?
13. In a soda-acid fire extinguisher, concentrated sulfuric
acid reacts with sodium hydrogen carbonate to
produce carbon dioxide, sodium sulfate, and water.
a. How many moles of sodium hydrogen carbonate
would be needed to react with 150.0 g of
sulfuric acid?
b. How many moles of each product would
be formed?

7. Sodium chloride is produced from its elements

through a synthesis reaction. What mass of each
reactant would be required to produce 25.0 mol
of sodium chloride?
Chapter Review

305

Chapter review
14. Sulfuric acid reacts with sodium hydroxide according
to the following:

H2SO4 + NaOH Na2SO4 + H2O
a. Balance the equation for this reaction.
b. What mass of H2SO4 would be required to react
with 0.75 mol NaOH?
c. What mass of each product is formed by this
reaction? (Hint: See Sample Problem B.)
15. Copper reacts with silver nitrate through single
replacement.
a. If 2.25 g of silver are produced from the reaction,
how many moles of copper(II) nitrate are also
produced?
b. How many moles of each reactant are required in
this reaction? (Hint: See Sample Problem D.)
16. Aspirin, C9H8O4, is produced through the following
reaction of salicylic acid, C7H6O3, and acetic
anhydride, C4H6O3: C7H6O3(s) + C4H6O3(l)
C9H8O4(s) + HC2H3O2(l).
a. What mass of aspirin (kg) could be produced from
75.0 mol of salicylic acid?
b. What mass of acetic anhydride (kg) would be
required?
c. At 20C, how many liters of acetic acid, HC2H3O2,
would be formed? The density of HC2H3O2 is
1.05 g/mL.
Section 3

Limiting Reactants and

Percentage Yield
REVIEWing main Ideas
17. Distinguish between ideal and real stoichiometric
calculations.
18. Distinguish between the limiting reactant and the
excess reactant in a chemical reaction.
19. a. Distinguish between the theoretical yield and
actual yield in stoichiometric calculations.
b. How does the value of the theoretical yield
generally compare with the value of the
actual yield?
20. What is the percentage yield of a reaction?
21. Why are actual yields usually less than calculated
theoretical yields?

306

Chapter 9

Practice Problems
22. Given the reactant amounts specified in each
chemical equation, determine the limiting reactant in
each case:
a. HCl + NaOH NaCl + H2O
2.0 mol
2.5 mol
b. Zn + 2HCl ZnCl2 + H2
2.5 mol
6.0 mol
c. 2Fe(OH)3 + 3H2SO4 Fe2(SO4)3 + 6H2O
4.0 mol
6.5 mol
(Hint: See Sample Problem F.)
23. For each reaction specified in Problem22, determine
the amount in moles of excess reactant that remains.
(Hint: See Sample ProblemG.)
24. For each reaction specified in Problem22, calculate
the amount in moles of each product formed.
25. a. If 2.50 mol of copper and 5.50 mol of silver nitrate
are available to react by single replacement,
identify the limiting reactant.
b. Determine the amount in moles of excess reactant
remaining.
c. Determine the amount in moles of each product
formed.
d. Determine the mass of each product formed.
26. Sulfuric acid reacts with aluminum hydroxide by
double replacement.
a. If 30.0 g of sulfuric acid react with 25.0 g of
aluminum hydroxide, identify the limiting
reactant.
b. Determine the mass of excess reactant remaining.
c. Determine the mass of each product formed.
Assume 100% yield.
27. The energy used to power one of the Apollo lunar
missions was supplied by the following overall
reaction: 2N2H4 + (CH3)2N2H2 + 3N2O4
6N2 + 2CO2 + 8H2O. For the phase of the mission
when the lunar module ascended from the surface of
the moon, a total of 1200. kg N2H4 was available to
react with 1000. kg (CH3)2N2H2 and 4500. kg N2O4.
a. For this portion of the flight, which of the allocated
components was used up first?
b. How much water, in kilograms, was put into the
lunar atmosphere through this reaction?

Chapter review
28. Calculate the indicated quantity for each of the
various chemical reactions given:
a. theoretical yield = 20.0 g, actual yield = 15.0g,
percentage yield = ?
b. theoretical yield = 1.0 g, percentage yield = 90.0%,
actual yield = ?
c. theoretical yield = 5.00 g, actual yield = 4.75 g,
percentage yield = ?
d. theoretical yield = 3.45 g, percentage yield =
48.0%, actual yield = ?
29. The percentage yield for the reaction

PCl3 + Cl2 PCl5
is 83.2%. What mass of PCl5 is expected from the
reaction of 73.7 g PCl3 with excess chlorine?
30. The Ostwald process for producing nitric acid from
ammonia consists of the following steps:
4NH3(g) + 5O2(g) 4NO(g) + 6H2O(g)
2NO(g) + O2(g) 2NO2(g)
3NO2(g) + H2O(g) 2HNO3(aq) + NO(g)
If the yield in each step is 94.0%, how many grams of
nitric acid can be produced from 5.00kg of ammonia?

Mixed Review
REVIEWing main Ideas
31. Magnesium is obtained from sea water. Ca(OH)2 is
added to sea water to precipitate Mg(OH)2. The
precipitate is filtered and reacted with HCl to produce
MgCl2. The MgCl2 is electrolyzed to produce Mg and
Cl2. If 185.0 g of magnesium are recovered from
1000. g MgCl2, what is the percentage yield for this
reaction?
32. Phosphate baking powder is a mixture of starch,
sodium hydrogen carbonate, and calcium dihydrogen phosphate. When mixed with water, phosphate
baking powder releases carbon dioxide gas, causing a
dough or batter to bubble and rise.
2NaHCO3(aq) + Ca(H2PO4)2(aq) Na2HPO4(aq)
+ CaHPO4(aq) + 2CO2(g) + 2H2O(l)
If 0.750 L CO2 is needed for a cake, and each kilogram
of baking powder contains 168 g of NaHCO3, how
many grams of baking powder must be used to
generate this amount of CO2? The density of CO2 at
baking temperature is about 1.20 g/L.

33. Coal gasification is a process that converts coal into

methane gas. If this reaction has a percentage yield of
85.0%, what mass of methane can be obtained from
1250 g of carbon?

2C(s) + 2H2O(l) CH4(g) + CO2(g)
34. If the percentage yield for the coal gasification
process is increased to 95%, what mass of methane
can be obtained from 2750 g of carbon?
35. Builders and dentists must store plaster of Paris,
CaSO4_
1H2O, in airtight containers to prevent it from
2
absorbing water vapor from the air and changing to
gypsum, CaSO42H2O. How many liters of water
vapor evolve when 2.00 kg of gypsum are heated at
110C to produce plaster of Paris? At 110C, the
density of water vapor is 0.574 g/L.
36. Gold can be recovered from sea water by reacting the
water with zinc, which is refined from zinc oxide. The
zinc displaces the gold in the water. What mass of
gold can be recovered if 2.00 g of ZnO and an excess
of sea water are available?
2ZnO(s) + C(s) 2Zn(s) + CO2(g)
2Au3+ (aq) + 3Zn(s) 3Zn2+(aq) + 2Au(s)

CRITICAL THINKING
37. Relating Ideas The chemical equation is a good
source of information concerning a reaction. Explain
the relationship between the actual yield of a reaction
product and the chemical equation of the product.
38. Analyzing Results Very seldom are chemists able to
achieve a 100% yield of a product from a chemical
reaction. However, the yield of a reaction is usually
important because of the expense involved in
producing less product. For example, when magnesium metal is heated in a crucible at high temperatures, the product magnesium oxide, MgO, is formed.
Based on your analysis of the reaction, describe some
of the actions that you would take to increase your
percentage yield. The reaction is as follows:

2Mg(s) + O2(g) 2MgO(s)

Chapter Review

307

Chapter review
39. Analyzing Results In the lab, you run an experiment
that appears to have a percentage yield of 115%.
Propose reasons for this result. Can an actual yield
ever exceed a theoretical yield? Explain your answer.
40. Relating Ideas Explain the stoichiometry of blowing
air on a smoldering campfire to keep the coals
burning.

RESEARCH AND WRITING

44. Research the history of the Haber process for the
production of ammonia. What was the significance of
this process in history? How is this process related to
the discussion of reaction yields in this chapter?

ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT
USING THE HANDBOOK
41. The steel-making process described in the Transition
Metal section of the Elements Handbook (Appendix
A) shows the equation for the formation of iron
carbide. Use this equation to answer the following
questions:
a. If 3.65 103 kg of iron is used in a steel-making
process, what is the minimum mass of carbon
needed to react with all of the iron?
b. What is the theoretical mass of iron carbide that is
formed?
42. The reaction of aluminum with oxygen to produce a
protective coating for the metals surface is described
in the discussion of aluminum in Group 13 of the
Elements Handbook (Appendix A). Use this equation
to answer the following questions:
a. What mass of aluminum oxide would theoretically
be formed if a 30.0 g piece of aluminum foil
reacted with excess oxygen?
b. Why would you expect the actual yield from this
reaction to be far less than the mass you calculated
in item (a)?
43. The reactions of oxide compounds to produce
carbonates, phosphates, and sulfates are
described in the section on oxides in Group 16 of the
Elements Handbook (Appendix A). Use those equations to answer the following questions:
a. What mass of CO2 is needed to react with 154.6 g
MgO?
b. What mass of magnesium carbonate is produced?
c. When 45.7 g P4O10 is reacted with an excess of
calcium oxide, what mass of calcium phosphate
is produced?

308

Chapter 9

45. Performance Just as reactants combine in certain

proportions to form a product, colors can be
combined to create other colors. Artists do this all the
time to find just the right color for their paintings.
Using poster paint, determine the proportions of
primary pigments used to create the following colors.
Your proportions should be such that anyone could
mix the color perfectly.

46. Performance Write two of your own sample problems

that are descriptions of how to solve a mass-mass
problem. Assume that your sample problems will be
used by other students to learn how to solve
mass-mass problems.

TEST PREP

Standards-Based Assessment
Answer the following items on a separate piece of paper.

MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. In stoichiometry, chemists are mainly concerned with
A. the types of bonds found in compounds.
B. mass relationships in chemical reactions.
C. energy changes occurring in chemical reactions.
D. the speed with which chemical reactions occur.
2. Assume ideal stoichiometry in the reaction
CH4 + 2O2 CO2 + 2H2O. If you know the mass
of CH4, you can calculate
A. only the mass of CO2 produced.
B. only the mass of O2 reacting.
C. only the mass of CO2 + H2O produced.
D. the mass of O2 reacting and CO2 + H2O
produced.
3. Which mole ratio for the equation
6Li + N2 2Li3N is incorrect?
6 mol Li
A. _
2 mol N2

2 mol Li3N
C. __
1 mol N2

1 mol N
B. _2
6 mol Li

2 mol Li3N
D. _
6 mol Li

4. For the reaction below, how many moles of N2 are

required to produce 18 mol NH3?
N2 + 3H2 2NH3
A. 4.5
C. 18
B. 9.0
D. 36
5. What mass of NaCl can be produced by the reaction
of 0.75 mol Cl2?
2Na + Cl2 2NaCl
A. 0.75 g
C. 44 g
B. 1.5 g
D. 88 g
6. What mass of CO2 can be produced from 25.0 g
CaCO3 given the decomposition reaction
CaCO3 CaO + CO2
A. 11.0 g
C. 25.0 g
B. 22.0 g
D. 56.0 g
7. If a chemical reaction involving substances A and B
stops when B is completely used up, then B is
referred to as the
A. excess reactant.
C. limiting reactant.
B. primary reactant.
D. primary product.

8. If a chemist calculates the maximum amount of

product that could be obtained in a chemical
reaction, he or she is calculating the
A. percentage yield.
B. mole ratio.
C. theoretical yield.
D. actual yield.
9. What is the maximum number of moles of AlCl3 that
can be produced from 5.0 mol Al and 6.0 mol Cl2?
2Al + 3Cl2 2AlCl3
A. 2.0 mol AlCl3 C. 5.0 mol AlCl3
B. 4.0 mol AlCl3 D. 6.0 mol AlCl3

SHORT ANSWER
10. Why is a balanced equation necessary to solve a
mass-mass stoichiometry problem?
11. What data are necessary to calculate the percentage
yield of a reaction?

EXTENDED RESPONSE
12. A student makes a compound in the laboratory and
reports an actual yield of 120%. Is this result possible? Assuming that all masses were measured
correctly, give an explanation.
13. Benzene, C6H6, is reacted with bromine, Br2, to
produce bromobenzene, C6H5Br, and hydrogen
bromide, HBr, as shown below. When 40.0 g of
benzene are reacted with 95.0 g of bromine, 65.0 g of
bromobenzene are produced.
C6H6 + Br2 C6H5Br + HBr
a. Which compound is the limiting reactant?
b. What is the theoretical yield of bromobenzene?
c. What is the reactant in excess, and how much
remains after the reaction is completed?
d. What is the percentage yield?

10
9
8

11 12 1

7 6

Test Tip
2
3
4

Choose an answer to a question based

on both information that you already
know and information that is presented
in the question.

Standards-Based Assessment

309