Question

P4O10+6H2O⟶4H3PO4

Determine the limiting reactant for the reaction.

Answer 1

Solution:

According to the reaction equation for 1 mol of P₄O₁₀ are needs 6 moles of H₂O.

Whenever there is a reaction between more than one reactant, we can run out of one reactant before we run out of the other one.

– The reactant we run out of first, which limits the yield of the entire reaction, is the limiting

reactant (or limiting reagent).

– The excess reactant is any reactant that is present in a larger amount than what is required to react completely with the limiting reactant.

Answer: The reactant we run out of first, which limits the yield of the entire reaction, is the limiting reactant