In the reaction C_2H_4(g)+3O_2(g)->2CO_2(g)+2H_2O(g), if 2.70 mol C_2H_4 is reacted with 6.30 mol O_2, what is the limiting reagent?

1 Answer
Jan 25, 2016

Clearly, oxygen gas is the LIMITING reagent.

Explanation:

Why can I say "clearly"? The stoichiometric equation you have posted shows that 1 mole of ethylene requires 3 moles of oxygen gas (the diatomic molecule).

Thus, 2.70 mol ethylene requires 8.10 mol dioxygen gas for complete reaction. How do I know this? I know this because of the given reaction stoichiometry. In the absence of stoichiometric oxygen, incomplete carbon combustion may occur to give C (as soot), or C-=O, as oxidation products (or both), but I assume complete combustion, and only consider the reaction AS WRITTEN.