Limiting Reagents With 3 Reactants

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on determining the limiting reagent in a chemical reaction involving calcium phosphate (Ca3(PO4)2), silicon dioxide (SiO2), and carbon (C) to produce phosphorus (P4). The balanced equation is 2Ca3(PO4)2 + 6SiO2 + 10C -> P4 + 6CaSiO3 + 10CO. The moles calculated were 0.1337 for Ca3(PO4)2, 0.441 for SiO2, and 0.0649 for C. The limiting reagent is identified as carbon (C) since it yields the lowest amount of product when the ratios are calculated.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of stoichiometry in chemical reactions
  • Knowledge of converting grams to moles using the formula n=m/M
  • Familiarity with balanced chemical equations
  • Ability to calculate and compare mole ratios
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the concept of limiting reagents in more complex reactions
  • Learn about stoichiometric calculations in chemical equations
  • Explore the use of mole ratios in determining yield
  • Investigate the implications of limiting reagents in industrial chemistry
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Chemistry students, educators, and anyone involved in chemical engineering or laboratory work who needs to understand limiting reagents and stoichiometric calculations.

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Homework Statement



So my test is tomorrrow, and I have troubles with limiting reagents, I can get them right sometimes with the 2 reactant questions, but not always with 3... so the question is

Q: What mass of phosphorus (P4) is produced when 41.5g of calcium phosphate, 26.5g of silicon diioxide, and 7.80g of carbon are reacted according to the eqation:

2Ca3(PO4)2 + 6SiO2 + 10C -> P4 + 6CaSiO3 + 10CO


Homework Equations



n=m/M

The Attempt at a Solution



I've checked that the equation is balanced
and I calculated the moles of 2Ca3(PO4)2 which is 0.1337 mols, 0.441 mols for 6SiO2 and 0.0649 mols for 10C.

after this idk what ratios to use to calculate what...
 
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No matter how many reactants, the correct answer is always the one giving the lowest amount of products.
 
xChee said:

Homework Statement



So my test is tomorrrow, and I have troubles with limiting reagents, I can get them right sometimes with the 2 reactant questions, but not always with 3... so the question is

Q: What mass of phosphorus (P4) is produced when 41.5g of calcium phosphate, 26.5g of silicon diioxide, and 7.80g of carbon are reacted according to the eqation:

2Ca3(PO4)2 + 6SiO2 + 10C -> P4 + 6CaSiO3 + 10CO

Homework Equations



n=m/M

The Attempt at a Solution



I've checked that the equation is balanced
and I calculated the moles of 2Ca3(PO4)2 which is 0.1337 mols, 0.441 mols for 6SiO2 and 0.0649 mols for 10C.

after this idk what ratios to use to calculate what...

Ok. First, convert all the grams given into moles.

Then, write the ratio of theoretical moles to actual moles for each compound. Finally, for each ratio, divide the whole ratio by its denominator so all the ratios have a denominator of 1. Then see which is the lowest.

Assuming you have all the grams to moles converted properly, you get this:

0.06685/1 Ca3(PO4)2

0.0735/1 SiO2

0.00649/1 C

Since 0.00649 is the least for 1 mol, then Carbon is the limiting reagent.
 

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