Question

Catalyst

A reaction between NH, and O, is the first step in the
preparation of nitric acid (HNO3) on a commercial scale.
The products are produced at 1000°C (1273 K) and at at-
mospheric pressure.
4 NH; (g) + 5 O2 (g) → 4 NO (g) + 6 H2O (1)
a. What volume of NO is produced in the reaction vessel
by the reaction of 0.500 mol O2?
b. What mass of H2O is produced by the reaction of 15.0 L
of NH3?
c. How many liters of O, must react to produce 35.5 L of
NO?

Answer 1

a. volume of NO : 41.785 L

b. mass of H2O : 18 g

c. volume of O2 : 9.52 L

Further explanation

Given

Reaction

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

Required

a. volume of NO

b. mass of H2O

c. volume of O2

Solution

Assume reactants at STP(0 C, 1 atm)

Products at 1000 C (1273 K)and 1 atm

a. mol ratio NO : O2 from equation : 4 : 5, so mo NO :

`\tt (4)/(5)* 0.5=0.4`

volume NO at 1273 K and 1 atm

`\tt V=(nRT)/(P)=(0.4* 0.08206* 1273)/(1)=41.785~L`

b. 15 L NH3 at STP ( 1mol = 22.4 L)

`\tt (15)/(22.4)=0.67~mol`

mol ratio NH3 : H2O from equation : 4 : 6, so mol H2O :

`\tt (6)/(4)* 0.67=1`

mass H2O(MW = 18 g/mol) :

`\tt mass=mol* MW=1* 18=18~g`

c. mol NO at 1273 K and 1 atm :

`\tt n=(PV)/(RT)=(1* 35.5)/(0.08206* 1273)=0.34`

mol ratio of NO : O2 = 4 : 5, so mol O2 :

`\tt (5)/(4)* 0.34=0.425`

Volume O2 at STP :

`\tt 0.425* 22.4=9.52~L`