Use the balanced equation from number four above to determine the limiting reactant if we had a mixture of 2.0 moles of Fe and 6.0 moles of O2.

The answer to your question is limiting reactant = Fe

Explanation:

Data

moles of Fe = 2

moles of O₂ = 6

Process

1. - Write the balanced chemical reaction

Fe + O₂ ⇒ Fe₂O₃

Reactants Elements Products

1 Fe 2

2 O 3

4Fe + 3O₂ ⇒ 2Fe₂O₃

Reactants Elements Products

4 Fe 4

6 O 6

2. - Use the balanced chemical reaction to determine the limiting reactant.

Theoretical proportion of reactants 4 moles Fe / 3 moles O₂ = 1.33

Experimental proportion of reactants = 2 moles Fe/6 moles O₂ = 0.333

3. - Conclusion

As the experimental proportion was lower than the theoretical we conclude that the amount of Fe was lower in the experiment which is the limiting reactant.