Question

In the combustion of methane, what is the limiting reactant and why?

Answer 1

Combustion of Methane:

• The process of burning a hydrocarbon in the air to give Carbon dioxide, water, heat, and light is known as the combustion process.
• The combustion of Methane$\left({\mathrm{CH}}_4\right)$ is a process that consists of a reaction between methane and oxygen in the air to give Carbon dioxide, water, heat, and light as products.
• The reaction involved is: $\underset{\mathrm{Methane}}{{\mathrm{CH}}_4\left(\mathrm{g}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{Oxygen}}{2{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)}\to \underset{\mathrm{Carbon}\mathrm{dioxide}}{{\mathrm{CO}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{Water}}{2{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{g}\right)}+\mathrm{Heat}+\mathrm{Light}$

The limiting reactant in the combustion of Methane:

• In the combustion process of methane, the limiting reagent is itself methane.
• Because the other reactant which is the Oxygen of air is always present in excess in the atmosphere.
• Thus, the amount of Carbon dioxide and water formed will depend upon the amount of methane burnt.

Hence, in the combustion of methane, the limiting reagent is itself methane as other reactants in the process, which is oxygen is always present in excess.