A mixture of 5g of Ni and 2g of sulfur was heated to study the combining mass of nickel. What will be the limiting reactant for this reaction?

The options are:

A. Nickel B. 2 moles of Ni

C. Sulfur D. 5 moles of S


I think the answer is C because it is present in lesser amount. Can you confirm this?

I think your instructor wishes you to write down the chemical equation, balance it, and then calculate which is limiting.

Ni + S = NiS

One mole of Ni reacts with 1 mole of S

Now many moles of Ni do you have and how many moles of S do you have?

by the way, you are correct, but I think you've selected sulfur for the wrong reason. You're relying on weights and not on moles. That will not usually work.

I think your instructor wishes you to write down the chemical equation, balance it, and then calculate which is limiting.

Ni + S = NiS

One mole of Ni reacts with 1 mole of S

Now many moles of Ni do you have and how many moles of S do you have?

by the way, you are correct, but I think you've selected sulfur for the wrong reason. You're relying on weights and not on moles. That will not usually work.


Thanks :-)