Calculating the Number of Moles of Propane and Oxygen

Oct 13, 2025 by leolavanderia.com.br 120 views

Introduction

Propane is a highly flammable and widely used hydrocarbon gas. It is a key component in various industrial processes, including the production of plastics, fuels, and chemicals. In this article, we will delve into the reaction of propane with oxygen, a fundamental concept in chemistry. We will analyze the balanced equation, calculate the number of moles of propane and oxygen, and determine the limiting reactant.

The Balanced Reaction

The balanced chemical equation for the reaction of propane with oxygen is:

${ C_3H_8(g) + 5O_2(g) \rightarrow 3CO_2(g) + 4H_2O(g) }$

In this equation, propane (C3H8) reacts with oxygen (O2) to produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). The balanced equation indicates that 1 mole of propane reacts with 5 moles of oxygen to produce 3 moles of carbon dioxide and 4 moles of water.

Calculating the Number of Moles of Propane and Oxygen

To determine the limiting reactant, we need to calculate the number of moles of propane and oxygen. We can use the molar mass of propane (44 g/mol) and oxygen (32 g/mol) to calculate the number of moles.

Calculating the Number of Moles of Propane

The molar mass of propane is 44 g/mol. We can calculate the number of moles of propane using the formula:

${ \text{moles} = \frac{\text{mass}}{\text{molar mass}} }$

Substituting the values, we get:

${ \text{moles of propane} = \frac{68 \, \text{g}}{44 \, \text{g/mol}} = 1.55 \, \text{mol} }$

Calculating the Number of Moles of Oxygen

The molar mass of oxygen is 32 g/mol. We can calculate the number of moles of oxygen using the formula:

${ \text{moles} = \frac{\text{mass}}{\text{molar mass}} }$

Substituting the values, we get:

${ \text{moles of oxygen} = \frac{96 \, \text{g}}{32 \, \text{g/mol}} = 3 \, \text{mol} }$

Determining the Limiting Reactant

To determine the limiting reactant, we need to compare the mole ratio of propane to oxygen with the mole ratio in the balanced equation. The balanced equation indicates that 1 mole of propane reacts with 5 moles of oxygen. We can calculate the mole ratio of propane to oxygen using the number of moles calculated earlier.

Calculating the Mole Ratio of Propane to Oxygen

We can calculate the mole ratio of propane to oxygen using the formula:

${ \text{mole ratio} = \frac{\text{moles of propane}}{\text{moles of oxygen}} }$

Substituting the values, we get:

${ \text{mole ratio} = \frac{1.55 \, \text{mol}}{3 \, \text{mol}} = 0.52 }$

Comparing the Mole Ratio with the Balanced Equation

The balanced equation indicates that 1 mole of propane reacts with 5 moles of oxygen. The mole ratio calculated earlier is 0.52, which is less than 1. This indicates that propane is the limiting reactant.

Conclusion

In this article, we analyzed the reaction of propane with oxygen, a fundamental concept in chemistry. We calculated the number of moles of propane and oxygen, determined the limiting reactant, and compared the mole ratio with the balanced equation. The results indicate that propane is the limiting reactant in this reaction.

Applications of Propane Reaction with Oxygen

The reaction of propane with oxygen has various applications in industry and everyday life. Some of the applications include:

Production of Carbon Dioxide: The reaction of propane with oxygen produces carbon dioxide, which is used in various industrial processes, including the production of plastics, fuels, and chemicals.
Production of Water: The reaction of propane with oxygen produces water, which is used in various industrial processes, including the production of chemicals and fuels.
Fuel Production: The reaction of propane with oxygen can be used to produce fuel, which can be used in various applications, including transportation and power generation.

Safety Precautions

The reaction of propane with oxygen is highly exothermic and can be hazardous if not handled properly. Some of the safety precautions include:

Handling with Care: The reaction of propane with oxygen should be handled with care, as it can be hazardous if not handled properly.
Proper Ventilation: The reaction of propane with oxygen should be carried out in a well-ventilated area to prevent the accumulation of carbon dioxide and water.
Fire Safety: The reaction of propane with oxygen can produce heat and flames, which can be hazardous if not handled properly. Fire safety precautions should be taken to prevent accidents.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the reaction of propane with oxygen is a fundamental concept in chemistry. We analyzed the balanced equation, calculated the number of moles of propane and oxygen, determined the limiting reactant, and compared the mole ratio with the balanced equation. The results indicate that propane is the limiting reactant in this reaction. The reaction of propane with oxygen has various applications in industry and everyday life, including the production of carbon dioxide, water, and fuel. However, the reaction should be handled with care, and proper safety precautions should be taken to prevent accidents.

Introduction

In our previous article, we analyzed the reaction of propane with oxygen, a fundamental concept in chemistry. We calculated the number of moles of propane and oxygen, determined the limiting reactant, and compared the mole ratio with the balanced equation. In this article, we will answer some of the frequently asked questions related to the reaction of propane with oxygen.

Q: What is the balanced chemical equation for the reaction of propane with oxygen?

A: The balanced chemical equation for the reaction of propane with oxygen is:

${ C_3H_8(g) + 5O_2(g) \rightarrow 3CO_2(g) + 4H_2O(g) }$

Q: What is the molar mass of propane and oxygen?

A: The molar mass of propane is 44 g/mol, and the molar mass of oxygen is 32 g/mol.

Q: How do you calculate the number of moles of propane and oxygen?

A: To calculate the number of moles of propane and oxygen, you can use the formula:

${ \text{moles} = \frac{\text{mass}}{\text{molar mass}} }$

Q: What is the limiting reactant in the reaction of propane with oxygen?

A: The limiting reactant in the reaction of propane with oxygen is propane.

Q: What are the products of the reaction of propane with oxygen?

A: The products of the reaction of propane with oxygen are carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O).

Q: What are the applications of the reaction of propane with oxygen?

A: The reaction of propane with oxygen has various applications in industry and everyday life, including the production of carbon dioxide, water, and fuel.

Q: What are the safety precautions to be taken while handling the reaction of propane with oxygen?

A: The reaction of propane with oxygen is highly exothermic and can be hazardous if not handled properly. Some of the safety precautions include:

Handling with Care: The reaction of propane with oxygen should be handled with care, as it can be hazardous if not handled properly.
Proper Ventilation: The reaction of propane with oxygen should be carried out in a well-ventilated area to prevent the accumulation of carbon dioxide and water.
Fire Safety: The reaction of propane with oxygen can produce heat and flames, which can be hazardous if not handled properly. Fire safety precautions should be taken to prevent accidents.

Q: What is the significance of the reaction of propane with oxygen in everyday life?

A: The reaction of propane with oxygen is significant in everyday life as it is used in various industrial processes, including the production of plastics, fuels, and chemicals.

Q: Can the reaction of propane with oxygen be used to produce energy?

A: Yes, the reaction of propane with oxygen can be used to produce energy. The reaction produces heat and light, which can be used to generate electricity.

Q: What are the environmental implications of the reaction of propane with oxygen?

A: The reaction of propane with oxygen has various environmental implications, including the production of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, which can contribute to climate change.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the reaction of propane with oxygen is a fundamental concept in chemistry. We answered some of the frequently asked questions related to the reaction of propane with oxygen, including the balanced chemical equation, molar mass, limiting reactant, products, applications, safety precautions, significance, and environmental implications. The reaction of propane with oxygen has various applications in industry and everyday life, including the production of carbon dioxide, water, and fuel. However, the reaction should be handled with care, and proper safety precautions should be taken to prevent accidents.