Final answer:
The most efficient set of reactants for the reaction is option B. 0.5 mol NaCl and 0.25 mol F₂, which adheres to the stoichiometric ratio of 2:1 without excess reactants.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most efficient ratio for the reaction 2NaCl + F₂ → 2NaF + Cl₂ is 2 moles of NaCl to 1 mole of F₂. We need to choose the combination of reactants that reflects this ratio without an excess of any reactant.
A. 4.0 mol NaCl and 1.0 mol F₂ uses twice as many NaCl molecules as F₂ molecules, which is the correct ratio.
B. 0.5 mol NaCl and 0.25 mol F₂ also reflects the desired 2:1 ratio and there will be no excess of any reactant.
C. 2.0 mol NaCl and 1.5 mol F₂ has an excess of F₂, making it inefficient.
D. 5.0 mol NaCl and 7.0 mol F₂ uses much more of both reactants than needed and is not an efficient ratio.
The correct answer is that the most efficient (least wasteful) set of reactants for the reaction is B. 0.5 mol NaCl and 0.25 mol F₂, since both reactants are used completely with no excess, adhering to the stoichiometric ratio.