In the reaction #C_2H_4(g)+3O_2(g)->2CO_2(g)+2H_2O(g)#, if 2.70 mol #C_2H_4# is reacted with 6.30 mol #O_2#, what is the limiting reagent?

1 Answer
anor277
Jan 25, 2016

Clearly, oxygen gas is the LIMITING reagent.

Explanation:

Why can I say "clearly"? The stoichiometric equation you have posted shows that 1 mole of ethylene requires 3 moles of oxygen gas (the diatomic molecule).

Thus, 2.70 mol ethylene requires 8.10 mol dioxygen gas for complete reaction. How do I know this? I know this because of the given reaction stoichiometry. In the absence of stoichiometric oxygen, incomplete carbon combustion may occur to give #C# (as soot), or #C-=O#, as oxidation products (or both), but I assume complete combustion, and only consider the reaction AS WRITTEN.

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