Finding Number of Moles Produced After Balancing Equation

[Jack Van Ryan 1A]

I've come across a question where it asks to find the number of moles of gas produced in the following chemical equation:

4C4H10 + 26O2 --> 16CO2 + 20H2O

I thought the coefficients represented the number of moles, meaning there would be 32 moles of gas produced, but that's not even one of the answer choices.

Thoughts?

[Hannah Jin 1J]

I believe the problem was asking for net moles. In that case, it would be moles (product) - moles (reactants) which would be 36-30 = 6 moles.

[Caleb_Mei_1J]

Hey there!

I believe you may have not read part of the question considering that one of the answer choices you provided a screenshot of has a semicolon followed by a whole integer after the balanced chemical reaction.

I believe the question is most likely asking what are the **net** moles of gas produced in the balanced chemical equation, meaning you would have to add the number of moles of gas on the products side and add the number of moles of gas on the reactants side and subtract the latter from the former.

Hope this helps!

[AudreyQian1J]

I agree with the replies! Net moles are the moles actually produced, meaning that it does not include all 36 moles shown in the products of the chemical equation. Since 30 moles have been used in the reactants, those same moles are shown in the products. Thus, if you subtract total moles of products (36mol) with initial moles of reactants (30mol), you'd get the net moles (6mol).

[Jack Van Ryan 1A]

Yes, thank you guys!