Question

48g of magnesium reacts with four moles of sulfuric acid. determine which reactant is the limiting reactant

Answer 1

Answer:

Magnesium is limiting reactant.

Explanation:

Based on the reaction:

Mg + H₂SO₄ → MgSO₄ + H₂

1 mole of Mg reacts per mole of sulfuric acid

To find limiting reactant we need to convert mass of magnesium to moles. If moles of Mg > moles sulfuric acid, sulfuric acid is limiting reactant and vice versa.

Moles Mg -Molar mass: 24g/mol-:

48g Mg * (1mol / 24g) = 2moles

As there are just 2 moles of Magnesium, just 2 moles of H₂SO₄ will react and 3 moles will remain. That means:

Magnesium is limiting reactant.