Question

Sulfur dioxide reacts with oxygen to yield sulfur trioxide according to the equation: Model 3: Limiting Reactant 2SO2(g) + O2(g) 2503(g) Although it is not realistic to have a container with so few molecules, suppose there's a flask that initially contains 8SO molecules and 80, molecules. The flask is closed so that molecules cannot escape. If the reaction proceeds to the fullest extent, the "before" and "after" freeze frames of the system look like what's in Figures 1 and 2. Fig. 2. After the reaction Key Questions Fig. 1. Before the reaction la. Which reactant remains unreacted in Figure 2, the "after" picture? b. Had there been more of a particular reactant, more sulfur trioxide would have been produced. Which reactant limited the production of sulfur trioxide? Why? c. In your own words, define what a limiting reagent is. 2. Suppose the reaction vessel had been set up with the following "before" composition prior to the initiation of the reaction. Sketch what the "after" picture would look like AND identify which species is the limiting reagent and which reagent is in excess. BEFORE Limiting reagent AFTER Excess reagent STOP! Report Out. 4-05 Limiting Reactant and Percent Yield Page 3 of 6