HIGHER GRADE CHEMISTRY CALCULATIONS
Reacting Volumes.
Since one mole of any gas occupies the same volume under the same conditions of
temperature and pressure we can use the balanced equation to calculate the
volume of gases.
Worked example 1.
Nitrogen monoxide reacts with oxygen to form nitrogen dioxide.
What is the volume composition of the gases present when 40cm3 of nitrogen
monoxide reacts with 100 cm3 of oxygen?
The balanced equation for the reaction is:-
2NO(g) + O2(g)
2 mol
+ 1 mol
2 vol
+ 1 vol
40cm3


2NO2 (g)
2 mol

2 vol
+ 20cm3 
40cm3
2 vol of NO = 40cm3
So 1 vol = 20cm3
20cm3 of O2 used
So 80cm3 left unreacted
Volume composition = 40cm3 of NO2 (g) + 80cm3 of unreacted O2
Calculations for you to try.
1.
40cm3 of propane is burned in 250cm3 of oxygen.
Calculate the volume and composition of the resulting gas mixture.
(All measurements are made at room temperature and pressure).
The balanced equation for the reaction is:C3H8(g) + 5O2(g)

3CO2 (g) + 4H2O(l)
1 mol
+ 5 mol

3 mol
1 vol
+ 5 vol

3 vol
40cm3 + 200cm3
 120cm3
The water is ignored as at room
temperature it is a liquid
As 200cm3 of O2 is used up
there is 50cm3 of O2 left
unreacted
Volume composition = 120cm3 of CO2 (g) + 50cm3 of unreacted
O2
Higher Grade Chemistry
Calculations for you to try.
2.
200 litres of carbon monoxide is reacted with 500 litres of hydrogen to form
gaseous methanol, CH3OH.
Calculate the volume and composition of the resulting gas mixture.
(All measurements carried out at 200oC)
The balanced equation for the reaction is:CO(g) + 2H2(g)

CH3OH(g)
1 mol
+ 2 mol

1 mol
1 vol
+ 2 vol

1 vol
200 litres + 400 litres 200 litres
As 400 litres of H2 is used up
there is 100 litres of H2 left
unreacted
Volume composition = 200 litres of CH3OH(g) + 100 litres of
H2 left unreacted
Higher Grade Chemistry