Question

How would you identify a limiting reagent in a chemical reaction?

Answer 1

Go through the mole!

Explanation:

When you are given the masses of the reactants, you need to convert them into moles.

For example:
`HCl + NaOH -> H2O + NaCl`

we have 2.3 grams of `HCl` and 3.5 grams of `NaOH`.
First we must go through the mole

2.3 `g` `HCl` x 1 mole `HCl` = 0.0630 mol `HCl`
36.46 `g` `HCl`

3.5 `g` `NaOH` x 1 mole `NaOH` = 0.0875 mol `NaOH`
40 `g` `NaOH`

As you can see, there is less moles of `HCl` than `NaOH`, therefore the `HCl` will run out first, making it the limiting reagent.