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.

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