Question

What is the limiting reactant when 8.4 moles of lithium react with 4.6 moles of oxygen gas?

Unbalanced equation: Li + O2 → Li2O
Show, or explain, all of your work along with the final answer.

Answer 1

first balance the equation
4Li + O2 -> 2Li2O
then to figure the limiting reactant use the numbers in front of each reactant as a ratio
4:2 for Li to Li2O
1:2 for O2 to Li2O
then use those to multiple or divide the number if moles to get the moles of Li2O it would make
Li=8.4 and because it's 4:2 (or 2:1) then 1 mole of Li make half as many moles of Li2O.
8.4/2= 4.2
O2= 4.6 and the ratio is 1:2 meaning 1 mole of O2 makes twice as many moles of Li2O
4.6x2= 9.2