Question

Consider the reaction

4PH 3(g)→PH 4 (g)+6H 2(g). Suppose that, at a particular moment during the reaction, molecular hydrogen is being formed at the rate of

0.078M/s.

a) At what rate is P 4 being formed?

b) At what rate is PH 3 reacting?

Answer 1

The rate at which P4 is being formed is 0.013 M/s, while the rate at which PH3 is reacting is 0.312 M/s.

Step-by-step explanation:

a) At what rate is P4 being formed?

To determine the rate at which P4 is being formed, we can use the stoichiometric coefficients of the balanced equation. From the balanced equation:

4PH3(g) → P4(g) + 6H2(g)

We can see that for every 4 moles of PH3 that react, 1 mole of P4 is formed. Therefore, if H2 is being formed at a rate of 0.078 M/s, then P4 is being formed at a rate of 0.078/6 = 0.013 M/s.

b) At what rate is PH3 reacting?

Using the stoichiometric coefficients again, we can determine the rate at which PH3 is reacting. From the balanced equation:

4PH3(g) → P4(g) + 6H2(g)

We can see that for every 4 moles of PH3 that react, 1 mole of P4 is formed. Therefore, if H2 is being formed at a rate of 0.078 M/s, then PH3 is reacting at a rate of 4 x 0.078 = 0.312 M/s.