Question

Outline the steps needed to determine the limiting reactant when 30.0 g of propane, C₃H₈, is burned with 75.0 g of oxygen.

Answer 1

To determine the limiting reactant when burning propane with oxygen, calculate the moles of each reactant, compare the actual mole ratio to the ratio from the balanced equation, and identify the reactant that produces fewer moles of product.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine the limiting reactant when 30.0 g of propane (C3H8) burns with 75.0 g of oxygen, follow these steps:

1. Write the balanced chemical equation for the combustion of propane:
2. C3H8 + 5O2 → 3CO2 + 4H2O
3. Calculate the number of moles of propane used:
4. (Molar mass of C3H8 = 44.09 g/mol)
5. 
   
6. Number of moles of C3H8 = mass (g) / molar mass (g/mol)
7. Calculate the moles of oxygen used:
8. (Molar mass of O2 = 32.00 g/mol)
9. 
   
10. Number of moles of O2 = mass (g) / molar mass (g/mol)
11. Compare the mole ratio of propane to oxygen from the balanced equation with the actual mole ratio from the calculations to determine the limiting reactant.

12. The reactant that produces the lesser amount of product is the limiting reactant.

The limiting reactant is the substance that is completely consumed in the reaction and dictates how much product can be formed.