What volume is produced at STP in the reaction 2"H"_2"S"(g) + 3"O"_2(g) -> 2"SO"_2(g) + 2"H"_2"O"(l) if we start with "200 mL H"_2"S" and "200 mL O"_2?

1 Answer
Jun 10, 2017

I'm assuming you want the volume of "SO"_2 at STP. We will assume your definition of STP is "1 atm" and 25^@ "C".

(If you mean the total volume, then we are ignoring the volume of the liquid water.)

V_(SO_2) = V_(H_2S), since "H"_2"S" is the limiting reagent and is 1:1 with "SO"_2.

We assume throughout that the gases are ideal.


Your reaction was:

2"H"_2"S"(g) + 3"O"_2(g) -> 2"SO"_2(g) + 2"H"_2"O"(l)

Since the reduction of oxygen is a known standard reduction half reaction, it can be confirmed that the water is a liquid. Liquids have small molar volumes, so to a good approximation, the bb("SO"_2(g)) volume will dominate the volume at STP.

Since the mol ratio of "H"_2"S":"O"_2 is 2:3, your reactant gas volumes are 1:1, and this mol ratio is less than 1:1, "O"_2 is in excess and "H"_2"S" is the limiting reagent. For example, if you had "2 mols H"_2"S", you would only need "2 mols O"_2, and you'd actually have 3.

Therefore, to calculate the mols of "SO"_2, which ARE 1:1 with "H"_2"S", use "H"_2"S", as it would give you the maximum yield of product:

"mols H"_2"S" = "mols SO"_2

As we have been assuming all of these gases are ideal gases, which have the same molar volume, V/n, at STP, and since "H"_2"S" is 1:1 with "SO"_2...

we started with "200 mL H"_2"S" and produce color(blue)("200 mL") of "SO"_2.