if 2.0 grams of sodium sulfate are mixed with 2.0 grams of calcium chloride to produce calcium sulfate as a precipitate, which compound is the limiting reactant

Write and balance the equation.

Convert g CaCl2 to mols
Convert g Na2SO4 to mols.

Use the coefficients in the balanced equation to convert mols CaCl2 to mols CaSO4.
Do the same for mols Na2SO4 to mols CaSO4.
The SMALLER value is the correct value to choose for the mols CaSO4 produced and the reagent producing that value is the limiting regent.

To determine which compound is the limiting reactant, we need to compare the amounts of each compound used and calculate their respective moles.

First, let's determine the molar mass of each compound:
- Sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄): The molar mass of sodium (Na) is 22.99 g/mol, and the molar mass of sulfate (SO₄) is (32.07 g/mol + (4 * 16.00 g/mol)) = 142.04 g/mol. Therefore, the molar mass of sodium sulfate is 22.99 g/mol + 142.04 g/mol = 164.03 g/mol.
- Calcium chloride (CaCl₂): The molar mass of calcium (Ca) is 40.08 g/mol, and the molar mass of chloride (Cl) is (35.45 g/mol + 35.45 g/mol) = 70.90 g/mol. Therefore, the molar mass of calcium chloride is 40.08 g/mol + 70.90 g/mol = 110.98 g/mol.

Next, let's calculate the moles of each compound based on the given masses:
- Moles of sodium sulfate = Mass / Molar mass = 2.0 g / 164.03 g/mol = 0.0122 mol.
- Moles of calcium chloride = Mass / Molar mass = 2.0 g / 110.98 g/mol = 0.0180 mol.

The mole ratio between sodium sulfate and calcium sulfate is 1:1, meaning that 1 mol of sodium sulfate reacts with 1 mol of calcium sulfate. Therefore, if the moles of sodium sulfate are equal to or less than the moles of calcium chloride, sodium sulfate is not the limiting reactant. Conversely, if the moles of sodium sulfate are greater than the moles of calcium chloride, sodium sulfate is the limiting reactant.

In this case, we have 0.0122 mol of sodium sulfate and 0.0180 mol of calcium chloride. Since 0.0122 mol is less than 0.0180 mol, sodium sulfate is not the limiting reactant. Therefore, calcium chloride is the limiting reactant in this reaction.