Question

Which reactant is the limiting reagent in the unbalanced equation: Cu(s) + AgNO3(aq) → Cu(NO3)2(aq) + Ag(s), if 2.00 moles of copper and 3.60 moles of silver nitrate are available to react?

A) Copper (Cu)
B) Silver nitrate (AgNO3)
C) Copper nitrate (Cu(NO3)2)
D) Silver (Ag)

Answer 1

After balancing the chemical equation, it becomes evident that silver nitrate (AgNO3) is the limiting reactant because the reaction requires 4.00 moles of AgNO3 to react with 2.00 moles of copper, but only 3.60 moles of AgNO3 are available.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine the limiting reactant in the chemical reaction between copper (Cu) and silver nitrate (AgNO3), we first need to balance the chemical equation:

Cu (s) + 2AgNO3(aq) → Cu(NO3)2 (aq) + 2Ag (s)

The balanced equation shows a stoichiometric ratio of 1 mole of copper reacting with 2 moles of silver nitrate. Given that we have 2.00 moles of copper and 3.60 moles of silver nitrate, we need to determine which reactant will run out first, because it will be the limiting reactant.

To react completely with 2.00 moles of copper, we would need 2 * 2.00 moles = 4.00 moles of silver nitrate. However, we only have 3.60 moles of silver nitrate available. Hence, silver nitrate (AgNO3) is the limiting reactant as it will be consumed first during the reaction.