Answer to Question #291097 in General Chemistry for Jed

Question

During a combustion reaction of H and O, H2O was produced. What is the limiting reactant in the reaction? And why?

Answer 1

$2H_2+O_2\to2H_2O$

The reacting masses are not included

Suppose 0.2g of Hydrogen is reacted with 2.0g of oxygen

Moles of Hydrogen $=\frac{0.2}{2}=0.1\>moles$

Moles of Oxygen $=\frac{2}{32}=0.0625\>moles$

0.1 moles of H₂ requires 0.05 moles of Oxygen. Oxygen is in excess

All Hydrogen will be consumed, therefore H₂ is the limiting reagent

The amount of H₂ O formed is limited by H₂