Question

Methane(CH4), Ammonia(NH3), and Oxygen can react to form Hydrogen Cyanide(HCN) and water according to this equation:
CH4+ NH3+ O2 -> HCN+ H2O
You have 8g of methane and 10 g of ammonia in excess oxygen. Answer the following questions:
What is the balanced equation for this reaction?
Which reagent is limiting? Why?
How many grams of Hydrogen Cyanide will be formed? Show work.

Answer 1

I got the balanced equation but i have no clue what it means by limiting or how to find the grams of Cyanide

Answer 2

A limiting reagent, as the name suggests, is a reactant that limits the reaction. It limits the reaction, because it will be the first reactant to run out, hence stopping the reaction from happening. By this definition, the reactant that has the least amount in the reaction vessel is the limiting reagent. So in order to identify the limiting reagent, you need to determine the amount of each reagent in moles. The one with the least amount is the limiting reagent.

Answer 3

1) 2(CH4)+ 2(NH3) + 3(O2)--> 2(HCN) + 6(H2O)
2) Ammonia
3) 13.5g