Question

Question #20e7d

Answer 1

To find the limiting reactant, you look at the mole ratios and then use them to find how much product you can get from the setup you have.

1. Set up the equation and balance it
2. Set up a ratio or dimensional analysis, using the mole ratios from your balanced equation to see how much product each reactant is capable of producing.

For example, if the equation looks like this:

4A + 3B --> 2C + D
(these are all stand ins for a balanced equation)

Then you would take your given amounts and solve with the ratio. So pick a random product, say, C. Then set up ratios for A and B. If the ratio for A:C is 4:2, and you have x amt. of A, how much C will you get in a reaction?

Figure out how much product each reactant is capable of producing. The one that produces the least is limiting reactant.

This is a good example:
https://www.chem.tamu.edu/class/majors/tutorialnotefiles/limiting.htm