Chapter 12, Problem 5STP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The limiting reagent of the given reaction needs to be identified.

Concept Introduction: The formation of products is dependent on the number of reactants. The reactant that is consumed first is known as the limiting reactant, when this reactant is consumed completely, then there will be no more formation of products.

Answer to Problem 5STP

The limiting reagent for the given reaction is ${\text{Q}}_2$ .

Explanation of Solution

The given chemical reaction is depicted as follows:

  ${\text{3T}}_2+{\text{Q}}_2\to 2{\text{T}}_3\text{Q}$

When three moles of ${\text{T}}_2$ reacts with ${\text{Q}}_2$ it yields two moles of ${\text{T}}_3\text{Q}$ .

Based on the atomic view, the limiting reagent for this reaction is ${\text{Q}}_2$ .

Calculation for moles of ${\text{Q}}_2$ is as follows:

  $6.0\cancel{{\text{mol T}}_2}\times \frac{1{\text{mol Q}}_2}{3\cancel{{\text{mol T}}_2}}=2{\text{ mol Q}}_2$

Calculation for moles of ${\text{T}}_2$ is as follows:

  $4\cancel{{\text{mol Q}}_2}\times \frac{3{\text{ mol T}}_2}{2\cancel{{\text{mol Q}}_2}}=6{\text{ mol T}}_2$

Thus, the reactant that is consumed first is ${\text{Q}}_2$ as the number of moles is less than ${\text{T}}_2$ .

Conclusion

Thus, the limiting reagent for the given reaction is ${\text{Q}}_2$ .