Question

carbon monoxide can be prepared by the reaction of steam with methane.
CH4(g) + H2O(g) = CO(g) + 3H2(g)
If 10g of methane is allowed to react with 10g of steam which of the reactants would be described as limiting. What is the theoretical yield of carbon monoxide if 10g of steam reacts?

Answer 1

I work limiting reagent problems by solving two simple stoichiometry problems (simple meaning not limiting reagent). Using one of the reactants solve for moles of the product formed. Then use the second reactant and solve for the same product. In limiting reagent problems, the correct answer is ALWAYS the smaller value and the reagent producing that value is the limiting reagent. Here is a solved example of solving a simple stoichiometry problem.
http://www.jiskha.com/science/chemistry/stoichiometry.html