How can you find a limiting reactant in a reaction?

Answer 1

A stoichiometrically balanced equation is an absolute prerequisite.

Consider combustion reactions, where a finite amount of hydrocarbon is burned in an infinite amount of dioxygen gas. For many reactions, the reagent in deficiency is obvious.

For methane, we write as follows:

#CH_4(g) + 2O_2(g) rarr CO_2(g) + 2H_2O(g)#

Here, of course, the reagent in deficiency is the hydrocarbon; the oxygen derives from the atmosphere. Under conditions of limited oxygen, and long chain hydrocarbon fuels, for instance in the internal combustion engine, #CO# and #C#, are observed as oxidation products, and these products represent incomplete combustion.

I'm assuming you know how to convert mass to moles and the other way around. If not, please give us a call, and someone will assist you.

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Answer 2

Xavier Avery

Compare the mole ratios of reactants and identify the one with the smallest ratio; it determines the limiting reactant.

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.