Consider the following reaction:

Question

2 CH3OH + 3O2 to form 2 CO2 + 4 H20

Each of the following molecular diagrams represents an initial mixture of the reactants. How many CO2 molecules would be formed by complete reaction in each case?

How do I use the molecular diagrams to help me answer the question?

I suspect you are to find the limiting reactant, either O2 or CH3OH. You need a ratio of 2:3 to react completly

Answer 1

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For the first diagram, there are 4 CH3OH molecules and 6 O2 molecules. This means that the limiting reactant is CH3OH, and the reaction will produce 2 CO2 molecules.

For the second diagram, there are 6 CH3OH molecules and 6 O2 molecules. This means that the limiting reactant is O2, and the reaction will produce 2 CO2 molecules.

For the third diagram, there are 8 CH3OH molecules and 6 O2 molecules. This means that the limiting reactant is O2, and the reaction will produce 2 CO2 molecules.