Final answer:
The student is asked to identify the limiting reactant and calculate theoretical yield of SO3. Ideal gas law is used to convert the volumes of SO2 and O2 to moles considering the reaction stoichiometry. The limiting reactant is determined by which reactant produces lesser moles of SO3, after which the theoretical yield can be calculated.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is asking to identify the limiting reactant and calculate the theoretical yield of SO3 given the reaction 2SO2(g) + O2(g) → 2SO3(g), and the volumes of SO2 and O2 gases, both measured at 316 K and 45.1 mmHg. To find the limiting reactant, we must use the ideal gas law to convert the volumes of gases to moles, taking into account the stoichiometry of the reaction. The reactant that produces the least amount of product is the limiting reactant. We then use this information to calculate the theoretical yield of SO3.
Applying the ideal gas law:
PV = nRT
Where P is the pressure, V is the volume, n is the number of moles of gas, R is the ideal gas constant, and T is the temperature in Kelvin. Assuming R = 0.0821 L·atm/(mol·K), we calculate the moles of SO2 and O2.
To find the theoretical yield of SO3, we use the stoichiometry of the balanced equation and the moles of the limiting reactant.
Since the details of these calculations are not provided, I cannot accurately provide the limiting reactant or the theoretical yield. These calculations would need to be completed using the provided volumes, temperature, and pressure and confirming the molar ratios from the balanced chemical equation.