In an experiment, 1 mol of propane is burned to form carbon dioxide and water: #C_3H_8 + 5O_2 -> 3CO_2 + 4H_2O#. How many moles of oxygen are needed for the reaction?

1 Answer
anor277
Apr 12, 2017

Look at your stoichiometric equation.........#"5 moles"# of #O_2# are required...........

Explanation:

#C_3H_8(g) + 5O_2(g)rarr3CO_2(g) + 4H_2O(g)#

The stoichiometric equation CLEARLY specifies that #"1 mol"# (#44*g#) of propane reacts with #"5 moles"# (#160*g#) of dioxygen to give #"3 moles"# (#132*g#) of carbon dioxide, and #"4 moles"# of water (#72*g#). Clearly, #"GARBAGE IN EQUALS GARBAGE OUT"#, and this underlies the principle of the stoichiometry.

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