Question

If 58 moles of NH₃ are combined with 32 moles of sulfuric acid, what is the limiting reactant and how much of the excess reactant is left over?

2 NH₃ + H₂SO₄ $\rightarrow$ (NH₄)₂SO₄

A) H₂SO₄, 29 mol

B) NH₃, 1.0 mol

C) NH₃ 29 mol

D) NH₃, 3.0 mol

E) H₂SO₄, 3.0 mol

> Thank you so so much this helped me huhu

Answer 1

From the balanced chemical equation it is clear that 1 mole of H₂SO₄ requires 2 moles of NH3. therefore, 32 moles of H₂SO₄ will require 64 moles of NH3. However, only 58 moles of NH3 are used in the reaction. Therefore, limiting reagent is NH3.

The excess of reactant left over = number of moles used - number of moles conusmed.

As the ideal ratio between moles of H₂SO₄ to NH3 is 1/2 = 0.5

The number of moles of H₂SO₄ consumed = 0.5 x number of moles of NH3 used

= 0.5 x 58 = 29 moles

Therefore, excess of reactant left over = 32 - 29 = 3 moles

Therefore, answer is, D) NH3, 3.0 mol