How would you determine the number of moles of N_2 that are required to produce 12 mol of NH_3 using the equation: N_2+ 3H_2 -> 2NH_3?

2 Answers
David Drayer
Mar 15, 2017

Use the mole ratio of (NH3)/ N_2the ratio is 2:1 or 1:2 so it will take 6 moles of N_2 to make 12 moles of NH_3

Explanation:

There is no coefficient in front of the N_2 in the reactants. This means that there is one mole of N_2 required in the balanced equation.

There is a 2 coefficient in front of the NH_3 in the products.

This is a 1:2 or 2:1 ratio. Since the desired outcome is NH_3 put the 2 on top and the 1 on the bottom

6 (N_2) xx 2/1 = NH_3

6 xx 2 = 12 (NH_3)

Doug L.
Mar 15, 2017

You need 6 moles of N_2 to produce 12 moles of NH_3.

Explanation:

The coefficients in a chemical reaction give the molar ratios of reactants and products in that reaction. You can read the above reaction (The Haber process) as saying "For every 1 mol of N_2, 3 moles of H_2 will react and 2 moles of NH_3 will be produced." So, if our ratio of N_2 to NH_3 is 1:2, and we need to produce 12 moles of NH_3, then we will need half as many moles of N_2, or 6 moles.

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