In the following reaction, how many moles of CO2 will form if 10 moles of C3H4 are reacted? How many moles of O2 will also be consumed?
C3H4+4O2->3CO2+2H2O

40 moles of O₂

30 moles of CO₂

Explanation:

Given parameters:

Number of moles of C₃H₄  = 10moles

Unknown:

Number of moles of CO₂ = ?

Solution:

The number of moles helps to understand and make quantitative measurements involving chemical reactions.

We start by solving this sort of problem by ensuring that the given equation is properly balanced;

        C₃H₄    +      4O₂    →     3CO₂     +      2H₂O

We can clearly see that all the atoms are conserved.

Now, we work from the known to unknown. We know the number of moles of  C₃H₄ to be 10moles;

             1 mole of  C₃H₄ reacted with 4 moles of O₂

              10 moles of C₃H₄ will react with 10 x 4 = 40moles of O₂

      1 mole of  C₃H₄ will produce 3 moles of CO₂

       10 moles of C₃H₄ will produce 10 x 3 = 30moles of CO₂