Aqueous Solution Chemical Reaction Problem

Chromium (II) ion in aqueous solution
Wikimedia Commons/LHcheM

This worked chemistry example problem demonstrates how to determine the number of reactants needed to complete a reaction in an aqueous solution.

Problem

For the reaction:

  • Zn(s) + 2H+(aq) → Zn2+(aq) + H2(g)
    • Determine the number of moles H+ that is required to form 1.22 mol H2.
    • Determine the mass in grams of Zn that is required to form 0.621 mol of H2

Solution

Part A: You may wish to review the types of reactions that occur in water and the rules that apply to balance aqueous solution equations. Once you have set them up, balanced equations for reactions in aqueous solutions work in exactly the same way as other balanced equations. The coefficients signify the relative number of moles of substances participating in the reaction.

From the balanced equation, you can see that 2 mol H+ is used for every 1 mol H2.

If we use this as a conversion factor, then for 1.22 mol H2:

  • moles H+ = 1.22 mol H2 x 2 mol H+ / 1 mol H2
  • moles H+ = 2.44 mol H+

Part B: Similarly, 1 mol Zn is required for 1 mol H2.

To work this problem, you need to know how many grams are in 1 mol of Zn. Look up the atomic mass for the zinc from the Periodic Table. The atomic mass of zinc is 65.38, so there is 65.38 g in 1 mol Zn.

Plugging in these values gives us:

  • mass Zn = 0.621 mol H2 x 1 mol Zn / 1 mol H2 x 65.38 g Zn / 1 mol Zn
  • mass Zn = 40.6 g Zn

Answer

  • 2.44 mol of H+ is required to form 1.22 mol H2.
  • 40.6 g Zn is required to form 0.621 mol of H2
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Your Citation
Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Aqueous Solution Chemical Reaction Problem." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/aqueous-solution-chemical-reaction-problem-609538. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2023, April 5). Aqueous Solution Chemical Reaction Problem. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/aqueous-solution-chemical-reaction-problem-609538 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Aqueous Solution Chemical Reaction Problem." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/aqueous-solution-chemical-reaction-problem-609538 (accessed March 30, 2024).