How would you identify a limiting reagent in a chemical reaction?

1 Answer
Slangus · Grace
Nov 8, 2015

Go through the mole!

Explanation:

When you are given the masses of the reactants, you need to convert them into moles.

For example:
#HCl + NaOH -> H2O + NaCl#

we have 2.3 grams of #HCl# and 3.5 grams of #NaOH#.
First we must go through the mole

2.3 #g# #HCl# x 1 mole #HCl# = 0.0630 mol #HCl#
36.46 #g# #HCl#

3.5 #g# #NaOH# x 1 mole #NaOH# = 0.0875 mol #NaOH#
40 #g# #NaOH#

As you can see, there is less moles of #HCl# than #NaOH#, therefore the #HCl# will run out first, making it the limiting reagent.

Related questions
See all questions in Limiting Reagent
Impact of this question
8031 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License