Final answer:
The maximum number of NH3 molecules that could form when N and H2 molecules react to form NH3 molecules depends on the stoichiometry of the reaction. By using the balanced chemical equation and converting ratios, we can determine the limiting reactant and calculate the maximum number of NH3 molecules that can form.
Step-by-step explanation:
From the balanced chemical equation, we know that 1 molecule of nitrogen (N2) reacts with 3 molecules of hydrogen (H2) to form 2 molecules of ammonia (NH3). To find the maximum number of NH3 molecules that could form, we need to determine the limiting reactant. This is the reactant that will be completely consumed in the reaction and limits the amount of product that can be formed.
Suppose we have 'x' molecules of N2 and 'y' molecules of H2.
Using the conversion factor of 1 molecule of nitrogen reacts with 3 molecules of hydrogen to form 2 molecules of ammonia, we can set up the following ratio:
x molecules of N2 : y molecules of H2 = 1 molecule of N2 : 3 molecules of H2
Since we need 2 molecules of NH3 for every 3 molecules of H2, the ratio of NH3 to H2 is:
2 molecules of NH3 : 3 molecules of H2
Now, we can equate these two ratios and solve for 'y', the number of H2 molecules:
1 molecule of N2 : 3 molecules of H2 = 2 molecules of NH3 : 3 molecules of H2
By cross-multiplying, we get:
1 * 3 = 2 * y
Simplifying further, we have:
3 = 2y
Dividing both sides by 2, we find:
y = 3/2 = 1.5
However, the number of molecules must be a whole number. Therefore, the maximum number of NH3 molecules that can form is 1 (since we cannot have 1.5 molecules).