For the following reaction, 0.511 moles of sulfuric acid are mixed with 0.464 moles of zinc hydroxide. What is the formula for the limiting reagent?

Zinc hydroxide, Zn(OH)₂ is the limiting reactant.

Explanation:

We'll begin by writing the balanced equation for the reaction. This is illustrated below:

H₂SO₄ + Zn(OH)₂ —> ZnSO₄ + 2H₂O

From the balanced equation above,

1 mole of H₂SO₄ reacted with 1 mole of Zn(OH)₂.

Finally, we shall determine the limiting reactant. This can be obtained as follow:

From the balanced equation above,

1 mole of H₂SO₄ reacted with 1 mole of Zn(OH)₂.

Therefore, 0.511 mole of H₂SO₄ will also react with 0.511 mole of Zn(OH)₂.

From the calculation made above, we can see that it will take a higher amount (i.e 0.511 mole) of Zn(OH)₂ than what was given (i.e 0.464 mole) to react completely with 0.511 mole of H₂SO₄.

Therefore, Zn(OH)₂ is the limiting reactant and H₂SO₄ is the excess reactant.