The fuel methanol (#CH_3OH#) is made by the reaction of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. What is the balanced chemical equation? How many grams of hydrogen are needed to produce 45.0 grams of methanol?

1 Answer
David G.
Mar 26, 2016

The balanced equation is: #2H_2+CO to CH_3OH#. It requires 2 moles of #H_2# to make each mole of #CH_3OH#, for a total of #5.64# #g# required. (See the full calculation below.)

Explanation:

The balanced equation is: #2H_2+CO to CH_3OH#.

One C, one O and 4 H on each side.

The molar mass of methanol is #12+4+16=32# #gmol^-1#

Number of moles: #n=m/M=45/32=1.41# #mol#

From the balanced equation we know that it takes 2 moles of #H_2# to produce each mole of methanol, so we need #2.82# #mol# of #H_2#.

To find the mass, #m=nM=2.82*2=5.64# #g# of #H_2#.

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