Answer:
oxygen is limiting reactant
Explanation:
Given data:
Mass of phosphorus = 25.0 g
Mass of oxygen = 50.0 g
What is limiting reactant ?
Solution:
Chemical equation:
P₄ + 5O₂ → P₄O₁₀
Number of moles of P₄:
Number of moles = mass/molar mass
Number of moles = 25.0 g/ 123.89 g/mol
Number of moles = 0.20 mol
Number of moles of O₂:
Number of moles = mass/molar mass
Number of moles = 50.0 g/ 32 g/mol
Number of moles = 1.56 mol
now we will compare the moles of reactants with product:
P₄ : P₄O₁₀
1 : 1
0.20 : 0.20
O₂ : P₄O₁₀
5 : 1
1.56 : 1/5×1.56 = 0.312 mol
Less number of moles of product are formed by the oxygen thus it will act as limiting reactant.
