Question

Sodium and chlorine react according to the following reaction: $2Na+C{l}_2\to 2NaCl$. If the reaction starts with $5.0$ moles of $Na$ and $3.0$ moles of $C{l}_2$ then which statement below is true?

• A. $C{l}_2$ is the excess reagent and $5.0$ moles of $NaCl$ will be produced
• B. $Na$ is the excess reagent and $2.5$ moles of $NaCl$ will be produced
• C. There will be an excess of $2.0$ moles of $Na$
• D. $Na$ is the limiting reagent and $2.0$ moles $NaCl$ will be produced
• E. $C{l}_2$ is the excess reagent and $2.0$ moles of $NaCl$ will be produced

Answer 1

The correct option is A $C{l}_2$ is the excess reagent and $5.0$ moles of $NaCl$ will be produced

2 moles of sodium reacts with 1 mole of chlorine to form 2 moles of sodium chloride.
5 moles of sodium will react with $\frac{5\times 1}{2}=2.5$ moles of chlorine to produce 5.0 moles of $NaCl$.
Since 3.0 moles of chlorine are present, chlorine is excess reagent.