Question

What is the ratio of moles of CuSO₄ to moles of NaOH?

Answer 1

The ratio of moles of CuSO₄ to moles of NaOH is determined by the balanced chemical equation for the reaction between the two substances. In this case, if the balanced equation is
`\(aCuSO₄ + bNaOH \rightarrow cCu(OH)₂ + dNa₂SO₄\), then the ratio is \(a:b\).`

Step-by-step explanation:

In a chemical reaction, the stoichiometric coefficients in the balanced equation indicate the mole ratios between reactants and products. For the reaction between CuSO₄ (copper(II) sulfate) and NaOH (sodium hydroxide), a balanced equation might look like this:
`\(CuSO₄ + 2NaOH \rightarrow Cu(OH)₂ + Na₂SO₄\).`

The coefficients in this balanced equation are 1, 2, 1, and 1 for CuSO₄, NaOH, Cu(OH)₂, and Na₂SO₄, respectively. These coefficients represent the molar ratios between the reactants and products. Therefore, the ratio of moles of CuSO₄ to moles of NaOH is 1:2.

This means that for every 1 mole of CuSO₄, 2 moles of NaOH are required for the reaction to go to completion. Understanding these ratios is crucial for determining the limiting reactant and the maximum amount of product that can be formed in a given reaction. It also allows chemists to predict the amounts of reactants needed to produce a specific quantity of product, providing valuable information for experimental design and optimization.