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.

Related questions
See all questions in Limiting Reagent
Impact of this question
2941 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License