Answer:
Oxygen, O₂ is the limiting reactant
Explanation:
We'll begin by writing the balanced equation for the reaction. This is given below:
2H₂ + O₂ —> 2H₂O
Next, we shall determine the masses of H₂ and O₂ that reacted from the balanced equation. This can be obtained as follow:
Molar mass of H₂ = 2 × 1 = 2 g/mol
Mass of H₂ from the balanced equation = 2 × 2 = 4 g
Molar mass of O₂ = 16 × 2 = 32 g/mol
Mass of O₂O from the balanced equation = 1 × 32 = 32 g
SUMMARY:
From the balanced equation above,
4 g of H₂ reacted with 32 g of O₂.
Finally, we shall determine the limiting reactant. This can be obtained as follow:
From the balanced equation above,
4 g of H₂ reacted with 32 g of O₂.
Therefore, 10 g of H₂ will react with
= (10 × 32)/4 = 80 g of O₂.
From the calculations made above, we can see that a higher mass (i.e 80 g) of O₂ than what was given (i.e 5 g) is required to react completely with 10 g of H₂. Therefore, O₂ is the limiting reactant.
