Answer:
oxygen is limiting reactant
Step-by-step explanation:
Given data:
Mass of hydrogen = 16.7 g
Mass of oxygen = 15.4 g
Limiting reactant = ?
Solution:
Chemical equation:
2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O
Number of moles of hydrogen:
Number of moles = mass/ molar mass
Number of moles = 16.7 g/ 2 g/mol
Number of moles = 8.35 mol
Number of moles of oxygen:
Number of moles = mass/ molar mass
Number of moles = 15.4 g/ 32 g/mol
Number of moles = 0.48 mol
Now we will compare the moles of both reactant with product,
H₂ : H₂O
2 : 2
8.35 : 8.35
O₂ : H₂O
1 : 2
0.48 : 2×0.48 = 0.96 mol
The number of moles of water produced by oxygen are less so it will limiting reactant.