Finding limited reactant (Chem 101)

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To determine the limiting reactant in the reaction between Silver Nitrate and Potassium Chromate, the molarity and volume of each reactant must be used to calculate the number of moles present. The balanced chemical equation is 2AgNO3 + K2CrO4 -> Ag2CrO4 + 2KNO3. The calculations should focus on the moles of AgNO3 and K2CrO4 to find the mass of the product formed, specifically Ag2CrO4. By calculating the grams of Ag2CrO4 produced from each reactant, the limiting reagent can be identified. Accurate mole calculations are essential for solving the problem correctly.
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Homework Statement



Find the limited reactant: Silver Nitrate and Potassium Chromate mix in a double replacement.

Silver Nitrate: 2.15 mL, 0.153 M ; Potassium Chromate: 1.08 mL, 0.197 M.

The Attempt at a Solution



I balanced and have a chemical reaction of:
2AgNO3 + K2Cro4 -> Ag2Cro4 + 2KNO3

I can solve this problem if i was given the grams of each molecule. But I am not sure how to start the problem with Molarity and Volume.

I think i would need to do this:

0.153 mol AgNO3 /1L (0.00215L AgN03) (2mol KNO3/2mol AgNo3) (101.1 g KNO3/1mol KNO3) = 0.033gAgNo3

So, how does this look? This is only one of the two equations but i can figure the other one out if if this is right.
 
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legendarium said:
I can solve this problem if i was given the grams of each molecule.

Do you know how to read chemical reaction equation? It is given in terms of moles, so while it can be easily converted to masses, there is no need for that.

By definition

C = \frac n V

Solve for n.
 
Yes i figured that out last night...

So, is this right?
 
As I told you - don't calculate mass of the reactant, calculate number of moles.

And I have no idea what you did - KNO3 doesn't play any role here and is not involved.
 
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im assuming my original post is not clear.

i think i did exactly that.

Thank you.
 
legendarium said:
I can solve this problem if i was given the grams of each molecule. But I am not sure how to start the problem with Molarity and Volume.

What you need to find is the mass of the products formed using the amounts of each reactant present at the beginning of the rxn.

0.153 mol AgNO3 /1L (0.00215L AgN03) (2mol KNO3/2mol AgNo3) (101.1 g KNO3/1mol KNO3) = 0.033gAgNo3

The concept is correct but you are mixing up the reactants and the products.

Technically it would be: (using AgNO3 as the reactant to find product)

(0.00215 L AgNO3 * 0.153 mol/L AgNO3)*(1 mol Ag2CrO4 / 2 mol AgNO3)*(331.73g / 1 mol Ag2CrO4) = 0.0546 g Ag2CrO4

You can figure out the grams of Ag2CrO4 produced using the amount of the potassium chromate given. That should tell you which is the limiting reagent.

Hope this helps.
 
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It did, thank you.
 

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