The reaction forms 98.76 g AlCl_3. Â
We have the masses of two reactants, so this is a limiting reactant problem.
We know that we will need a balanced equation with masses, moles, and molar masses of the compounds involved. Â
Step 1. Gather all the information in one place with molar masses above the formulas and everything else below them. Â
M_r: ___26.98 _70.91 __133.34
________2Al + 3Cl_2 → 2AlCl_3
Mass/g: 20.00 _78.78
Step 2. Calculate the moles of each reactant Â
Moles of Al = 20.00 g Al Ă— (1 mol Al /26.98 g Al) = 0.741 29 mol Al
Moles of Cl_2 = 78.78 g Cl_2 Ă— (1 mol Cl_2 /70.91 g Cl_2) = 1.11 10 mol Cl_2
Step 3. Identify the limiting reactant Â
Calculate the moles of AlCl_3 we can obtain from each reactant. Â
From Al: Moles of AlCl_3 = 0.741 29 mol Al Ă— (2 mol AlCl_3/2 mol Al) = 0.741 29 mol AlCl_3
From Cl_2: Moles of AlCl_3 = 1.11 10 mol Cl_2 Ă— (2 mol AlCl_3/3 mol Cl_2) = 0.740 66 mol AlCl_3
Cl_2 is the limiting reactant because it gives the smaller amount of AlCl_3.
Step 4. Calculate the mass of AlCl_3.
Mass = 0.740 66 mol AlCl_3 Ă— 133.34 g/1 mol AlCl_3 = 98.76 g AlCl_3
The reaction produces 98.76 g AlCl_3.