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Ch.4 - Chemical Quantities & Aqueous Reactions
Chapter 4, Problem 40

Consider the reaction: 2 CH3OH(g) + 3 O2(g) → 2 CO2(g) + 4 H2O(g) Each of the molecular diagrams represents an initial mixture of the reactants. How many CO2 molecules form from the reaction mixture that produces the greatest amount of products?

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Stoichiometry

Stoichiometry is the calculation of reactants and products in chemical reactions based on the balanced equation. It allows us to determine the proportions of each substance involved in the reaction. In this case, the coefficients in the balanced equation indicate that for every 2 moles of CH₃OH consumed, 2 moles of CO₂ are produced, establishing a direct relationship between the reactants and products.
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Limiting Reactant

The limiting reactant is the substance that is completely consumed first in a chemical reaction, thus determining the maximum amount of product that can be formed. Identifying the limiting reactant is crucial for calculating the yield of products. In this reaction, the initial amounts of CH₃OH and O₂ will dictate which reactant limits the formation of CO₂.
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Molecular Diagrams

Molecular diagrams visually represent the arrangement and interaction of molecules in a chemical reaction. They help in understanding the initial concentrations of reactants and the potential products formed. Analyzing these diagrams can provide insights into how many molecules of CO₂ can be produced based on the initial mixture of CH₃OH and O₂.
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