Answer:
sodium hydroxide is the limiting reactant
Explanation:
The first step is usually to put down the balanced reaction equation. This is the first thing to do when solving any problem related to stoichiometry. The balanced reaction equation serves as a guide during the solution.
2NBr3 + 3NaOH = N2 + 3NaBr + 3HOBr
Let us pick nitrogen gas as our product of interest. Any of the reactants that gives a lower number of moles of nitrogen gas is the limiting reactant.
For nitrogen tribromide
From the balanced reaction equation;
2 moles of nitrogen tribromide yields 1 mole of nitrogen gas
4.3 moles of nitrogen tribromide will yield 4.3 ×1/ 2 = 2.15 moles of nitrogen gas
For sodium hydroxide;
3 moles of sodium hydroxide yields 1 mole of nitrogen gas
5.9 moles of sodium hydroxide yields 5.9 × 1/ 3= 1.97 moles of nitrogen gas
Therefore, sodium hydroxide is the limiting reactant.
