Using the following equation, 2C_2H_6 + 7O_2 -> 4CO_2 + 6H_2O, if 2.5 g C_2H_6 react with 170 g O_2, what is the limiting reactant?

1 Answer
anor277
May 24, 2017

Clearly, ethane is the limiting reagent. Why "clearly"?

Explanation:

You have the stoichiometric equation, which tells you, unequivocally, that 2 equiv ethane reacts with 7 equiv dioxygen gas (alternatively 1 equiv ethane reacts with 3.5 equiv O_2).

"Moles of ethane"=(2.5*g)/(30.1*g*mol^-1)=0.083*mol.

"Moles of dioxygen"=(170*g)/(32.0*g*mol^-1)=5.3*mol.

There is a stoichiometric EXCESS of dioxygen gas.

Can you tell us how much carbon dioxide would be produced given complete combustion?

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