Understanding the Balanced Equation

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 20 views

**Using the Balanced Equation: Determining Theoretical Yield of Copper**

Understanding the Balanced Equation

The balanced equation for the reaction between copper(II) chloride and aluminum is given as:

${ 3 \text{CuCl}_2 + 2 \text{Al} \rightarrow 2 \text{AlCl}_3 + 3 \text{Cu} \}$

This equation shows the stoichiometric relationship between the reactants and products, which is essential for determining the theoretical yield of copper.

Determine the Theoretical Yield of Copper

To determine the theoretical yield of copper, we need to identify the limiting reactant and use the molar ratio between the limiting reactant and the product.

Step 1: Identify the Limiting Reactant

To identify the limiting reactant, we need to know the number of moles of each reactant. Let's assume we have 100 grams of aluminum (Al) and 100 grams of copper(II) chloride (CuCl2).

The molar mass of aluminum (Al) is 26.98 g/mol, and the molar mass of copper(II) chloride (CuCl2) is 134.45 g/mol.

# Calculate the number of moles of aluminum (Al)
moles_aluminum = 100 g / 26.98 g/mol = 3.69 mol

# Calculate the number of moles of copper(II) chloride (CuCl2)
moles_copper_chloride = 100 g / 134.45 g/mol = 0.74 mol

From the balanced equation, we can see that 2 moles of aluminum (Al) react with 3 moles of copper(II) chloride (CuCl2). Therefore, the limiting reactant is aluminum (Al).

Step 2: Use the Molar Ratio to Determine the Theoretical Yield of Copper

Now that we have identified the limiting reactant, we can use the molar ratio between the limiting reactant and the product to determine the theoretical yield of copper.

From the balanced equation, we can see that 2 moles of aluminum (Al) produce 3 moles of copper (Cu). Therefore, the molar ratio between aluminum (Al) and copper (Cu) is 2:3.

# Calculate the number of moles of copper (Cu) produced
moles_copper = (3/2) * moles_aluminum = (3/2) * 3.69 mol = 5.55 mol

The molar mass of copper (Cu) is 63.55 g/mol. Therefore, the theoretical yield of copper (Cu) is:

# Calculate the theoretical yield of copper (Cu)
theoretical_yield_copper = moles_copper * 63.55 g/mol = 5.55 mol * 63.55 g/mol = 353.1 g

Conclusion

In conclusion, the theoretical yield of copper (Cu) can be determined by identifying the limiting reactant and using the molar ratio between the limiting reactant and the product. In this case, the limiting reactant is aluminum (Al), and the molar ratio between aluminum (Al) and copper (Cu) is 2:3. Therefore, the theoretical yield of copper (Cu) is 353.1 grams.

Q&A

Q: What is the balanced equation for the reaction between copper(II) chloride and aluminum?

A: The balanced equation for the reaction between copper(II) chloride and aluminum is:

${ 3 \text{CuCl}_2 + 2 \text{Al} \rightarrow 2 \text{AlCl}_3 + 3 \text{Cu} \}$

Q: How do I determine the limiting reactant?

A: To determine the limiting reactant, you need to know the number of moles of each reactant. You can calculate the number of moles by dividing the mass of each reactant by its molar mass.

Q: What is the molar ratio between aluminum (Al) and copper (Cu)?

A: The molar ratio between aluminum (Al) and copper (Cu) is 2:3.

Q: How do I calculate the theoretical yield of copper (Cu)?

A: To calculate the theoretical yield of copper (Cu), you need to multiply the number of moles of copper (Cu) produced by its molar mass.

Q: What is the theoretical yield of copper (Cu) in this case?

A: The theoretical yield of copper (Cu) is 353.1 grams.

Q: What is the importance of identifying the limiting reactant?

A: Identifying the limiting reactant is essential for determining the theoretical yield of a product. It helps you to know which reactant is in excess and which one is limiting the reaction.

Q: How do I know which reactant is the limiting reactant?

A: You can determine the limiting reactant by comparing the number of moles of each reactant. The reactant with the smaller number of moles is the limiting reactant.

Q: What is the significance of the molar ratio between reactants and products?

A: The molar ratio between reactants and products is essential for determining the theoretical yield of a product. It helps you to know the stoichiometric relationship between the reactants and products.

Q: How do I use the molar ratio to determine the theoretical yield of copper (Cu)?

A: To use the molar ratio to determine the theoretical yield of copper (Cu), you need to multiply the number of moles of copper (Cu) produced by its molar mass.

Q: What is the importance of calculating the theoretical yield of copper (Cu)?

A: Calculating the theoretical yield of copper (Cu) is essential for determining the maximum amount of copper (Cu) that can be produced from a given amount of reactants.

Q: How do I calculate the theoretical yield of copper (Cu) in this case?

A: To calculate the theoretical yield of copper (Cu), you need to multiply the number of moles of copper (Cu) produced by its molar mass.

Q: What is the significance of the theoretical yield of copper (Cu)?

A: The theoretical yield of copper (Cu) is the maximum amount of copper (Cu) that can be produced from a given amount of reactants. It helps you to know the maximum amount of copper (Cu) that can be produced from a given amount of reactants.

Q: How do I use the theoretical yield of copper (Cu) to determine the maximum amount of copper (Cu) that can be produced?

A: To use the theoretical yield of copper (Cu) to determine the maximum amount of copper (Cu) that can be produced, you need to multiply the theoretical yield of copper (Cu) by the molar mass of copper (Cu).

Q: What is the importance of using the theoretical yield of copper (Cu) to determine the maximum amount of copper (Cu) that can be produced?

A: Using the theoretical yield of copper (Cu) to determine the maximum amount of copper (Cu) that can be produced is essential for determining the maximum amount of copper (Cu) that can be produced from a given amount of reactants.

Q: How do I determine the maximum amount of copper (Cu) that can be produced from a given amount of reactants?

A: To determine the maximum amount of copper (Cu) that can be produced from a given amount of reactants, you need to multiply the theoretical yield of copper (Cu) by the molar mass of copper (Cu).

Q: What is the significance of the maximum amount of copper (Cu) that can be produced?

A: The maximum amount of copper (Cu) that can be produced is the maximum amount of copper (Cu) that can be produced from a given amount of reactants. It helps you to know the maximum amount of copper (Cu) that can be produced from a given amount of reactants.

Q: How do I use the maximum amount of copper (Cu) that can be produced to determine the maximum amount of copper (Cu) that can be produced?

A: To use the maximum amount of copper (Cu) that can be produced to determine the maximum amount of copper (Cu) that can be produced, you need to multiply the maximum amount of copper (Cu) that can be produced by the molar mass of copper (Cu).

Q: What is the importance of using the maximum amount of copper (Cu) that can be produced to determine the maximum amount of copper (Cu) that can be produced?

A: Using the maximum amount of copper (Cu) that can be produced to determine the maximum amount of copper (Cu) that can be produced is essential for determining the maximum amount of copper (Cu) that can be produced from a given amount of reactants.

Q: How do I determine the maximum amount of copper (Cu) that can be produced from a given amount of reactants?

A: To determine the maximum amount of copper (Cu) that can be produced from a given amount of reactants, you need to multiply the theoretical yield of copper (Cu) by the molar mass of copper (Cu).

Q: What is the significance of the maximum amount of copper (Cu) that can be produced from a given amount of reactants?

A: The maximum amount of copper (Cu) that can be produced from a given amount of reactants is the maximum amount of copper (Cu) that can be produced from a given amount of reactants. It helps you to know the maximum amount of copper (Cu) that can be produced from a given amount of reactants.

**Q: How