The balanced chemical reaction is expressed as:
2Al(s)+3Cl2(g)→2AlCl3(s)
To determine the volume of chlorine gas needed given the mass of aluminum metal to be used, we need to calculate for the moles of chlorine needed and use a relation that relates moles and volume by assuming the gas to be an ideal gas. We use the equation PV =nRT. We calculate as follows:
7.85 g Al ( 1 mol / 26.98 g ) ( 3 mol Cl2 / 2 mol Al ) = 0.43643 mol Cl2
PV = nRT
V = nRT / P
V = 0.43643 (0.08205) (298) / (225/760)
V = 36.04 L chlorine gas
The minimum volume needed would be 36.04 L.