Aluminum hydroxide reacts with sulfuric acid as follows: 2 Al1OH231s2 + 3 H2SO41aq2¡Al21SO4231aq2 + 6 H2O1l2 Which is the limiting reactant when 0.500 mol Al1OH23 and 0.500 mol H2SO4 are allowed to react?

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Write down the balanced chemical equation for the reaction: 2 Al(OH)_{3}(s) + 3 H_{2}SO_{4}(aq) \rightarrow Al_{2}(SO_{4})_{3}(aq) + 6 H_{2}O(l).

Calculate the mole ratio from the balanced equation between Al(OH)_{3} and H_{2}SO_{4}. From the equation, 2 moles of Al(OH)_{3} react with 3 moles of H_{2}SO_{4}.

Determine the theoretical amount of H_{2}SO_{4} needed to completely react with 0.500 moles of Al(OH)_{3} using the mole ratio. Multiply the moles of Al(OH)_{3} by the ratio (3 moles of H_{2}SO_{4} / 2 moles of Al(OH)_{3}).

Compare the theoretical amount of H_{2}SO_{4} needed to the actual amount available (0.500 moles).

Identify the limiting reactant: if the actual amount of H_{2}SO_{4} is less than the theoretical amount needed, H_{2}SO_{4} is the limiting reactant; otherwise, Al(OH)_{3} is the limiting reactant.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Limiting Reactant

The limiting reactant is the substance that is completely consumed first in a chemical reaction, thus determining the maximum amount of product that can be formed. To identify it, one must compare the mole ratio of the reactants used in the reaction to the coefficients in the balanced chemical equation.

Stoichiometry

Stoichiometry is the calculation of reactants and products in chemical reactions based on the balanced equation. It involves using mole ratios derived from the coefficients of the balanced equation to determine how much of each reactant is needed or how much product can be formed from given amounts of reactants.

Balanced Chemical Equation

A balanced chemical equation represents a chemical reaction with equal numbers of each type of atom on both sides of the equation. It provides the mole ratios necessary for stoichiometric calculations, allowing one to predict the amounts of reactants consumed and products formed during the reaction.

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