The ostwald process is used commercially to produce nitric acid, which is, in turn, used in many modern chemical processes. in the first step of the ostwald process, ammonia is reacted with oxygen gas to produce nitric oxide and water. what is the maximum mass of h2o that can be produced by combining 54.0 g of each reactant?

The complete balanced chemical equation is:

4 NH3 (g) + 5 O2 (g) → 4 NO (g) + 6 H2O (g)

In statement form: 4mol NH3 reacts with 5 mol O2 to produce 6 mol H2O

First let us find for the limiting reactant:

>molar mass NH3 = 17 g/mol

moles NH3 = 54/17 = 3.18 mol NH3

This will react with 3.18*5/4 = 3.97 mol O2

>molar mass O2 = 32g/mol

moles O2 = 54/32 = 1.69 mol O2

We have insufficient O2 therefore this is the limiting reactant

From the balanced equation:

For every 5.0 mol O2, we get 6.0 mol H2O, therefore

moles H2O formed = 1.69 mol O2 * 6/5 = 2.025 mol

Molar mass H2O = 18g/mol

mass H2O formed = 2.025*18 = 36.45 grams H2O produced