Question

If 7 mol of copper reacts with 4 mol of oxygen, what amount of copper (II) oxide is produced? What amount of the excess reactant remains?

Answer 1

7 mol CuO

0.5 mol O₂

Step-by-step explanation:

Step 1: Write the balanced equation

2 Cu + O₂ ⇒ 2 CuO

Step 2: Identify the limiting reactant

The theoretical molar ratio (TMR) of Cu to O₂ is 2:1.

The experimental molar ratio (EMR) of Cu to O₂ is 7:4 = 1.75:1.

Since TMR > EMR, Cu is the limiting reactant

Step 3: Calculate the amount of CuO produced

7 mol Cu × 2 mol CuO/2 mol Cu = 7 mol CuO

Step 4: Calculate the excess of O₂ that remains

The amount of O₂ that reacts is:

7 mol Cu × 1 mol O₂/2 mol Cu = 3.5 mol O₂

The excess of O₂ that remains is:

4 mol - 3.5 mol = 0.5 mol