How can you find a limiting reactant using moles?

1 Answer
Saif Rabbani · Stefan V.
Feb 8, 2017

For this you just have to watch the balanced equation of the reaction.

Explanation:

For eg:

#"N"_2 + 3"H"_2 -> 2"NH"_3#

This means that #1# mole of #"N"_2# reacts with #3# moles of #"H"_2# and makes #2# moles of #"NH"_3#.

If you are given #5# moles of #"N"_2# and #9# moles of #"H"_2#, then what's the limiting reagent?

You can find it here

#"1 mole N"_2# #"reacts with 3 moles H"_2#

#"2 moles N"_2# #"react with 6 moles H"_2#

#"3 moles N"_2# #"react with 9 moles H"_2#

Oh see!! The #"H"_2# moles are consumed when #3# moles of #"N"_2# react. But you have #5# moles of #"N"_2# available, so in this case, #"H"_2# is the limiting reagent.

Hope you understand.

Related questions
See all questions in Limiting Reagent
Impact of this question
1936 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License