Question
96g of SO2 reacts with 29·0g of O2 to yield SO3. Which is the limiting reactant?
Solution
The balanced chemical equation representing the reaction is
2SO2 + O2
2SO3
2 mol 1 mol 2 mol
Stoichiometry indicates that 2 mol SO2 required O2 = 1 mol
1.50 mol SO2 will require O2
But moles of O2 actually present = 0·906 mol Therefore, O2 is in excess and SO2 is the limiting reactant.
2SO2 + O2
2SO32 mol 1 mol 2 mol
Stoichiometry indicates that 2 mol SO2 required O2 = 1 mol
1.50 mol SO2 will require O2But moles of O2 actually present = 0·906 mol Therefore, O2 is in excess and SO2 is the limiting reactant.
