Question

For the following reaction, N2 + 3 H2 à 2 NH3a student begins the reaction with 2 moles of N2 and 5 moles of H2. What is the excess reactant?

Answer 1

Nitrogen (N2) is the excess reactant

Explanations:

Given the chemical reaction between nitrogen and hydrogen expressed as:

`N_2+3H_2\rightarrow2NH_3`

Given the following parameters

Moles of N2 = 2 moles

moles of H2 = 5 moles

Determine the mole of each atom

Mole of one atom of N2 = 2moles/1 = 2moles

Mole of 1 atom of hydrogen = 5moles/3 = 1.67moles

Since moles of one atom of nitrogen is greater then that of hydrogen, hence the excess reactant is Nitrogen