Answer to Question #270146 in General Chemistry for cacaoi

Question

What is the limiting reagent of 2.40 g Mg 10.0 g O2

Answer 1

Mg   +  O2 →   MgO

SOLUTION

Step 1: Balance equation

2Mg + O2 → 2MgO

Step 2: Convert mass of each reactant to mass of product using stoichiometry

Step 3: The reactant that produces a smaller amount of product is the limiting reactant

Mg produces less MgO than does O2 (3.98 g MgO vs. 25.2 g MgO), therefore Mg is the limiting reactant in this reaction.