1. Write the balanced chemical equation:
2 Al + 3 Cl₂ → 2 AlCl₃
This equation tells us that 2 moles of aluminum (Al) react with 3 moles of chlorine gas (Cl₂) to produce 2 moles of aluminum chloride (AlCl₃).
2. Determine the mole ratio:
The balanced equation shows a 2:2 mole ratio between aluminum and aluminum chloride. This means that for every 2 moles of aluminum that react, 2 moles of aluminum chloride are produced.
3. Calculate the moles of aluminum chloride:
Since we have 4 moles of aluminum, and the mole ratio is 2:2, we can set up a proportion:
(2 moles AlCl₃ / 2 moles Al) = (x moles AlCl₃ / 4 moles Al)
Solving for x, we get:
x = 4 moles AlCl₃
Answer: When 4 moles of aluminum react with excess chlorine gas, 4 moles of aluminum chloride are produced.