Question

in the combustion of methane what is the limiting reagent and why

Answer 1

In a chemical reaction, reactants that are not used up when the reaction isfinished are called excess reagents. The following is the chemical equation of the combustion of methane. 64 grams of methane reacts with 96 grams of oxygen.

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Answer 2

Answer: Balanced equation for the Combustion of methane :

CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O

Limiting reagent can be decided only when amount of reactants available are known.  

Let say for eg :

When methane given = 5 mole

Oxygen given = 6 mole

Now we know  

1 mole of methane produces = 1 mole of CO2

​5 mole of methane must produce = 5 mole of CO2

​But

2 mole of Oxygen gas produces = 1 mole of CO2

6 mole of Oxygen gas produces = 3 mole of CO2

​Since amount of methane produced here in above example is dependent on the amount of Oxygen available, therefore O2 is the limiting reagent.