Question

Two moles of magnesium (Mg) and five moles of oxygen (O2) are placed in a reaction vessel. When magnesium is ignited, it reacts with oxygen. What is the limiting reactant in this experiment?
Mg + O2 → MgO (unbalanced)

Answer 1

Answer:

Explanation:

Two moles of magnesium (Mg) and five moles of oxygen (O2) are placed in a reaction vessel. When magnesium is ignited, it reacts with oxygen. What is the limiting reactant in this experiment?

Mg + O2 → MgO (unbalanced)

first, balance the equation

2Mg +O2-------> 2MgO

two magnesium atoms react with one diatomic oxygen molecule

there is a 1:1 ratio of magnesium to oxygen atoms

but we have 2 moles of magnesium atoms and 2X5 = 10 moles of oxygen atoms

the lesser magnesium LIMITS the amount of product we can make, so it is the LIMITING REAGENT.