Problem: Elemental phosphorus reacts with chlorine gas according to the equation:P4(s) + 6 Cl2(g) → 4 PCl3(l)A reaction mixture initially contains 45.53 g P4 and 131.1 g Cl2.Once the reaction has occurred as completely as possible, what mass (in g) of the excess reactant remains?

FREE Expert Solution

Determine the limiting reactant (i.e. the reactant that forms the least number of mass of the product):

Mass of PCl3 produced from P4:

mass PCl3=45.53 g P4(1 mol P4123.88 g P4)(4 mol PCl31 mol P4)(137.33 g PCl31 mol PCl3)=201.89 g

Mass of PCl3 produced from Cl2:

mass PCl3=131.1 g Cl2(1 mol Cl270.90 g Cl2)(4 mol PCl36 mol Cl2)(137.33 g PCl31 mol PCl3)=169.29 g

The limiting reactant is Cl2, therefore it is used up completely in the reaction, and P4 is the excess reactant.

100% (327 ratings)
View Complete Written Solution
Problem Details

Elemental phosphorus reacts with chlorine gas according to the equation:

P4(s) + 6 Cl2(g) → 4 PCl3(l)

A reaction mixture initially contains 45.53 g P4 and 131.1 g Cl2.

Once the reaction has occurred as completely as possible, what mass (in g) of the excess reactant remains?

Learn this topic by watchingLimiting Reagent Concept Videos
All Chemistry Practice Problems Limiting Reagent Practice Problems
Q.Iron(III) oxide reacts with carbon monoxide according to the equation:Fe2O3(s) + 3 CO(g) → 2 Fe(s) + 3 CO2 (g)A reaction mixture initially contains 22...
Q.Nitrogen and hydrogen gas react to form ammonia according to the reaction:N2(g) + 3H2(g) → 2NH3(g)If a flask contains a mixture of reactants represent...
Q.Consider the following reaction:4K(s) + O2 (g) → 2K2O(s)The molar mass of K is 39.09 g/mol and that of O2 is 32.00 g/mol.Without doing any calculation...
Q.Consider the following reaction: 2N2H4 (g) + N2O4 (g) → 3N2(g) + 4H2O(g) Consider the following representation of an initial mixture of N2H4 and N2O4 ...
See all problems in Limiting Reagent

Frequently Asked Questions

What scientific concept do you need to know in order to solve this problem?

Our tutors have indicated that to solve this problem you will need to apply the Limiting Reagent concept. You can view video lessons to learn Limiting Reagent. Or if you need more Limiting Reagent practice, you can also practice Limiting Reagent practice problems.

What professor is this problem relevant for?

Based on our data, we think this problem is relevant for Professor Bolanos' class at MIRACOSTA.