3 molecules of carbon monoxide (CO) react with 3 molecules of chlorine (Cl2) to produce some amount of phosgene (COCl2).

Question

Complete the table below.
Chemical element Number of atoms in the reaction
During this reaction, how many molecules of phosgene (COCl2) are produced?

Answer 1

To begin solving the problem, we first need to write the balanced chemical equation for the reaction of carbon monoxide (CO) and chlorine gas (Cl₂) to produce phosgene (COCl₂).

The balanced equation is: \[ 3 \text{CO} + 3 \text{Cl}_2 \rightarrow 3 \text{COCl}_2 \]

From the balanced equation, we can see that:

• 3 molecules of CO react with 3 molecules of Cl₂ to produce 3 molecules of COCl₂.

Now, let's fill in the table for the number of atoms during this reaction:

Table of Chemical Elements and Number of Atoms

| Chemical Element | Number of Atoms in the Reaction | |-------------------|---------------------------------| | Carbon (C) | 3 (from 3 CO) | | Oxygen (O) | 3 (from 3 CO) | | Chlorine (Cl) | 6 (from 3 Cl₂; each Cl₂ has 2 Cl and there are 3 Cl₂) |

Conclusion

During this reaction, 3 molecules of phosgene (COCl₂) are produced, as derived from the balanced equation.