Respuesta :
Answer: The limiting reagent in the given chemical reaction is carbon metal.
Explanation:
Excess reagent is defined as the reagent which is present in large amount in a chemical reaction.
Limiting reagent is defined as the reagent which is present in small amount in a chemical reaction. Formation of product depends on the limiting reagent.
To calculate the number of moles, we use the equation:
[tex]\text{Number of moles}=\frac{\text{Given mass}}{\text{Molar mass}}[/tex] .....(1)
- For sodium sulfate:
Given mass of sodium sulfate = 16.29 g
Molar mass of sodium sulfate = 142 g/mol
Putting values in equation 1, we get:
[tex]\text{Moles of sodium sulfate}=\frac{16.29g}{142g/mol}=0.115mol[/tex]
- For carbon:
Given mass of carbon = 3.697 g
Molar mass of carbon = 12 g/mol
Putting values in equation 1, we get:
[tex]\text{Moles of carbon}=\frac{3.697g}{12g/mol}=0.31mol[/tex]
For the given chemical reaction:
[tex]Na_2SO_4(aq.)+4C(s)\rightarrow Na_2S(s)+4CO(g)[/tex]
By Stoichiometry of the reaction:
4 moles of carbon reacts with 1 mole of sodium sulfate
So, 0.31 moles of carbon will react with = [tex]\frac{1}{4}\times 0.31=0.0775mol[/tex] of sodium sulfate
As, given amount of sodium sulfate is more than the required amount. So, it is considered as an excess reagent.
Thus, carbon metal is considered as a limiting reagent because it limits the formation of product.
Hence, the limiting reagent in the given chemical reaction is carbon metal.
