Question

a. h₂
b. n₂
c. cannot be determined

• 16. if the images below represent the chemical reaction 3h₂ + n₂ → 2nh₃, which reactant will produce less ammonia nh₃? (4 pts)

Explanation:

Step1: Count the number of reactant molecules

From the diagram, there are 7 \(H_2\) molecules (white - white pairs) and 3 \(N_2\) molecules (grey - grey pairs).

Step2: Use the stoichiometry of the reaction

The balanced chemical equation is \(3H_2+N_2
ightarrow2NH_3\). For every 3 \(H_2\) molecules, 1 \(N_2\) molecule reacts.
If we consider the \(N_2\) first: 3 \(N_2\) molecules would require \(3\times3 = 9\) \(H_2\) molecules (from the ratio \(3H_2:1N_2\)). But we only have 7 \(H_2\) molecules.
If we consider the \(H_2\) first: 7 \(H_2\) molecules would react with \(\frac{7}{3}\approx2.33\) \(N_2\) molecules. Since we have 3 \(N_2\) molecules, \(H_2\) is the limiting reactant.

Answer:

a. \(H_2\)