Question

Nitrogen (${\mathbf{N}}_{\mathbf{2}}$) and hydrogen (${\mathbf{H}}_{\mathbf{2}}$) react to form ammonia (${\mathbf{NH}}_{\mathbf{3}}$). Consider the mixture of ${\mathbf{N}}_{\mathbf{2}}$() and ${\mathbf{H}}_{\mathbf{2}}$() in a closed container as illustrated:

Assuming that the reaction goes to completion, draw a representation of the product mixture.Explain how you arrived at this representation.

Short answer

The equation can be written as${\text{N}}_{\text{2}}{\text{+ 3H}}_{\text{2}}\to {\text{2NH}}_{\text{3}}$

Step-by-step solution

Given reaction

There are six molecules of hydrogen and six molecules of nitrogen. From the balanced chemical equation, three molecules of hydrogen are required for each molecule of nitrogen. So, six molecules of nitrogen require 18 molecules of hydrogen. Hence, hydrogen is the limiting reagent.

Representation of product mixture

The product formed depends on the amount of limiting reagent. Six molecules of hydrogen can form four molecules of ammonia. Its representation is as shown below:

Representation of product mixture

It contains four molecules of ammonia and four molecules of unreacted nitrogen.