Question

In the reaction fecl2 + 2naoh fe(oh)2(s) + 2nacl, if 6 moles of fecl2 are added to 6 moles of naoh, how many moles of fecl2 would be used up in the reaction?

Answer 1

The balanced chemical reaction would be

fecl2 + 2naoh = fe(oh)2(s) + 2nacl

Initial amounts of the reactants are given, so, we need to determine which of the reactants is the limiting reactant and use this amount to determine what is asked. However, what is being asked is how many of the FeCl2 is used in the reaction, showing that it is NaOH that is the limiting reactants. Thus, we just use the initial amount of NaOH and relate the substances by the chemical reaction as follows:

6 mol NaOH ( 1 mol FeCl2 / 2 mol NaOH ) = 3 mol FeCl2

Therefore, 3 moles of FeCl2 is used up and 3 moles of FeCl2 is also left after the reaction.