Phosphorus trichloride can be made by the following reaction: P₄(s)+ 6Cl₂(g)→ 4PCl₃(l)What is the maximum amount of phosphorus trichloride that can be formed if 10 molecules of P₄ are mixed with 36 molecules of chlorine?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The reaction shows that 1 molecule of $\text{P}_4$ reacts with 6 molecules of $\text{Cl}_2$ to produce 4 molecules of $\text{PCl}_3$. Given 10 molecules of $\text{P}_4$ and 36 molecules of $\text{Cl}_2$, the limiting reactant is $\text{P}_4$ because it can fully react with 60 molecules of $\text{Cl}_2$ (10 $\text{P}_4$ molecules $\times$ 6 $\text{Cl}_2$ molecules per $\text{P}_4$ molecule), but only 36 molecules of $\text{Cl}_2$ are available. Since 10 molecules of $\text{P}_4$ can theoretically produce 40 molecules of $\text{PCl}_3$ (10 $\times$ 4), the maximum amount of $\text{PCl}_3$ that can be formed is 24 molecules, considering the actual amount of $\text{Cl}_2$ available does not limit the reaction before all $\text{P}_4$ is used.

Phosphorus Trichloride Can Be Made by the Following Reaction: P4(s)

Phosphorus Trichloride Can Be Made by the Following Reaction: P₄(s)