<u>Answer:</u> The limiting reagent in the given chemical reaction is carbon metal.
<u>Explanation:</u>
Excess reagent is defined as the reagent which is present in large amount in a chemical reaction.
Limiting reagent is defined as the reagent which is present in small amount in a chemical reaction. Formation of product depends on the limiting reagent.
To calculate the number of moles, we use the equation:
.....(1)
- <u>For sodium sulfate:</u>
Given mass of sodium sulfate = 16.29 g
Molar mass of sodium sulfate = 142 g/mol
Putting values in equation 1, we get:
![\text{Moles of sodium sulfate}=\frac{16.29g}{142g/mol}=0.115mol](https://tex.z-dn.net/?f=%5Ctext%7BMoles%20of%20sodium%20sulfate%7D%3D%5Cfrac%7B16.29g%7D%7B142g%2Fmol%7D%3D0.115mol)
Given mass of carbon = 3.697 g
Molar mass of carbon = 12 g/mol
Putting values in equation 1, we get:
![\text{Moles of carbon}=\frac{3.697g}{12g/mol}=0.31mol](https://tex.z-dn.net/?f=%5Ctext%7BMoles%20of%20carbon%7D%3D%5Cfrac%7B3.697g%7D%7B12g%2Fmol%7D%3D0.31mol)
For the given chemical reaction:
![Na_2SO_4(aq.)+4C(s)\rightarrow Na_2S(s)+4CO(g)](https://tex.z-dn.net/?f=Na_2SO_4%28aq.%29%2B4C%28s%29%5Crightarrow%20Na_2S%28s%29%2B4CO%28g%29)
By Stoichiometry of the reaction:
4 moles of carbon reacts with 1 mole of sodium sulfate
So, 0.31 moles of carbon will react with =
of sodium sulfate
As, given amount of sodium sulfate is more than the required amount. So, it is considered as an excess reagent.
Thus, carbon metal is considered as a limiting reagent because it limits the formation of product.
Hence, the limiting reagent in the given chemical reaction is carbon metal.