Answer:
H₂ is the limiting reactant
Explanation:
Balanced equations demonstrate the ratios of all reactants and products in terms of the number of atoms/molecules or moles;
In the given reaction:
1 mol of N₂ reacts with 3 mol of H₂ to produce 2 mol of NH₃
So the ratio of N₂ to H₂ to NH₃ will be 1:3:2
If we have 3 moles of N₂, we can apply the ratio to find that it will react with 9 moles of H₂ (3× the moles of N₂) to produce 6 moles of NH₃ (2× the moles of N₂);
Similarly, if we have 5 moles of H₂, then applying the ratio, we find that ⁵/₃ or 1.66... moles of N₂ (¹/₃× the moles of H₂) react with 5 moles of H₂ to produce ¹⁰/₃ or 3.33... moles of NH₃ (²/₃× the moles of H₂);
In order for all of the 3 moles of N₂ to react, it would require 6 moles of H₂;
There is only 5 moles of H₂ available, meaning there will be an excess of N₂;
5 moles of H₂ will react with 1.66... moles of the N₂, leaving 1.33... or ⁴/₃ moles of N₂ unreacted;
If the N₂ is in excess, then the H₂ is limited (i.e. the limiting reactant)
