Question

If you have 5 mol H2 and 2 mol N2, what is the limiting reagent in the reaction

below?
3 H2(g) + N2 (g) → 2 NH3 (g)

Answer 1

Hydrogen is the limiting reactant.

Step-by-step explanation:

Hello!

In this case, for the identification of the limiting reactant, it is necessary to compute the yielded moles of ammonia via both hydrogen and nitrogen in agreement to the 3:2 and 1:2 mole ratios respectively:

`n_(NH_3)^(by\ H_2)=5molH_2*(2molNH_3)/(3molH_2)=3.33molNH_3\\\\n_(NH_3)^(by\ N_2)=2molN_2*(2molNH_3)/(1molN_2)=4molNH_3`

Thus, since hydrogen yields the fewest moles of ammonia we infer it is the limiting reactant.

Best regards!