Question

Given the chemical equation: N₂ + 3 H₂ → 2 NH₃. On a MACROSCOPIC level, what do the coefficients mean?

A) 1 molecule of nitrogen reacts with 3 molecules of hydrogen to give 2 molecules of ammonia

B) 1 mole of nitrogen reacts with 3 moles of hydrogen to give 2 moles of ammonia

C) 1 atom of nitrogen reacts with 3 atoms of hydrogen to give 2 atoms of ammonia

D) all of the above

Answer 1

The coefficients in the chemical equation represent the ratio of moles of reactants and products. In this case, 1 mole of nitrogen reacts with 3 moles of hydrogen to produce 2 moles of ammonia, making option B the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

The coefficients in a chemical equation at the macroscopic level represent the relative amounts of reactants and products involved in the reaction. In the equation N2 + 3 H2 → 2 NH3, the coefficients indicate that 1 mole of nitrogen reacts with 3 moles of hydrogen to give 2 moles of ammonia.

Although on a microscopic level, it can also be said that 1 molecule of nitrogen reacts with 3 molecules of hydrogen to give 2 molecules of ammonia, the mole is the most useful unit for counting particles in chemistry because it allows chemists to work with macroscopic amounts that can be measured and used in the laboratory. All of this makes the correct answer B) 1 mole of nitrogen reacts with 3 moles of hydrogen to give 2 moles of ammonia.