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If 10.0 grams of Al react with 10.0 grams of NaCl what is the limiting reactant? Excess reactant? how much would be left over?

If 10.0 grams of Al react with 10.0 grams of NaCl what is the limiting reactant? Excess-example-1
User Ehsan Msz
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1 Answer

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To find the limiting and the excess reactant we will need first to set up the balanced reaction:

Al + 3NaCl -> AlCl3 + 3Na

Now with the balanced reaction, we will also need the molar mass for Al and NaCl, which are:

Al = 26.98 g/mol

NaCl = 58.44 g/mol

Then we will need to find how many moles do 10 grams represents in each case, and how much of the other reactant it would be needed to react:

26.98 g = 1 mol

10 g = x moles

x = 0.37 moles

According to the molar ratio in the reaction, we will always have 1:3 ratio, which means that in order to react 1 mol of Al, we will need 3 moles of NaCl, using that in an equation:

1 Al = 3 NaCl

0.37 = x NaCl

x = 1.11 moles of NaCl

But how many grams would 1.11 moles of NaCl represent? We know is more than 58.44 grams, since in order to have that only 1 mol would be needed, so now we know that the limiting reactant is the NaCl and we have an excess of Al, but let's see how much excess:

58.44 g = 1 mol

10 g = x moles

x = 0.17 moles of NaCl, which means 0.056 moles of Al, since we are dividing 0.17 by 3

26. 98 g = 1 mol

x grams = 0.056 moles

x = 1.51 grams

Therefore, limiting reactant = NaCl, excess reactant = Al, left over = 10g - 1.51g = 8.49 grams

User Petru
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