Using the balanced chemical equation:
2H2(g) + O2(g) → 2H2O(g)
we can see that the stoichiometry of the reaction is 2:1, meaning that for every 2 moles of hydrogen reacted, 1 mole of oxygen is reacted.
First, we convert the given volumes of hydrogen and oxygen to moles using the ideal gas law:
n(H2) = PV/RT = (80 cm^3) (1 atm) / (0.0821 L*atm/mol*K) (273 K)
n(H2) = 3.07 x 10^-3 mol
n(O2) = PV/RT = (25 cm^3) (1 atm) / (0.0821 L*atm/mol*K) (273 K)
n(O2) = 9.57 x 10^-4 mol
Since the stoichiometry of the reaction is 2:1, the limiting reactant is oxygen. Therefore, all of the oxygen will be consumed and 4.78 x 10^-4 mol of hydrogen will react.
Now we can use the ideal gas law again to calculate the volume of residual gases:
V = nRT/P
For hydrogen:
V = (3.07 x 10^-3 mol) (0.0821 L*atm/mol*K) (273 K) / (1 atm)
V = 0.0661 L = 66.1 cm^3
For water vapor (product):
n(H2O) = 4.78 x 10^-4 mol (from stoichiometry)
V = (4.78 x 10^-4 mol) (0.0821 L*atm/mol*K) (273 K) / (1 atm)
V = 0.0102 L = 10.2 cm^3
Therefore, the volume of residual gas is:
Vresidual = Vtotal - Vreacted
Vresidual = (80 cm^3 + 25 cm^3) - (66.1 cm^3 + 10.2 cm^3)
Vresidual = 28.7 cm^3