Calculations based on chemical equations - mole-mole calculation

Given the balanced chemical equation AND the number of moles of any one of the reactants or products, the proportional number of moles of any other reactant or product can be determined by using the appropriate stoichiometric mole ratio.

Example

How many moles of oxygen gas is required to burn 3.60 moles of ethyl alcohol, C₂H₅OH?

In this question, you are given the mole of one reactant (C₂H₅OH) and you will be asked to find the mole of the other reactant (oxygen gas). Here are the steps involved to answer this question:

Step 1: Identify the chemical equation involved: a combustion reaction.

Step 2: Write the balanced chemical equation.

Step 3: Determine the stoichiometric ratio of the substances that you are working with specifically between ethyl alcohol and oxygen.

Step 4: Calculate the number of moles of oxygen by making the ratio specifically for 3.60 moles of ethyl alcohol.

Content suitability

BCIT courses: CHEM 0011