Question

Consider the following balanced equation: 4ZnS + 6O2 Image 4ZnO + 4SO2
Determine the number of moles of zinc oxide produced when 2.5 mol of zinc sulfide is combined with excess O2.
???

Answer 1

Answer:

2.5 moles ZnO

Explanation:

To find the amount of moles, you need to use a mole-to-mole ratio between ZnS and ZnO. The mole-to-mole is made up of the coefficients in the balanced equation.

4 ZnS + 6 O₂ -----> 4 ZnO + 4 SO₂

2.5 moles ZnS         4 moles ZnO
-----------------------  x  -----------------------  = 2.5 moles ZnO
                                  4 moles ZnS

**While the chemical equation is technically balanced, it does not exist in the smallest mole ratio as possible. Each coefficient can be divided by 2.**

2 ZnS + 3 O₂ -----> 2 ZnO + 2 SO₂