Question

Phosphorous burns in a limited amount of Oxygen to produce a compound whose composition is 56.4% Phosphorous and 43.6% Oxygen by mass. Suppose that 10 grams of Phosphorous are burned in 5 grams of Oxygen and that all of one element is consumed. Which element is the limiting reagent?

Answer 1

Answer on Question #45226, Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry

When Phosphorus burns in a limited amount of Oxygen, phosphorus (III) oxide is formed.

$$4P + 3O_2 \rightarrow 2P_2O_3$$

In this reaction, 4 moles (124 g) of Phosphorus react with 3 moles (96 g) of Oxygen. Then, we have the follow proportion:

$$124 \text{ g P} - 96 \text{ g O}_2$$ $$10 \text{ g P} - x \text{ g O}_2$$ $$x = \frac{10 * 96}{124} = 7,74 \text{ g}$$

Therefore, Oxygen is limited reactant.

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