2Al + 3CuSO4 --> + 3Cu + Al2(SO4)3

* copper(II) sulphate is a hydrate

1.2g of CuSo4
50mL of water
1.0 g of aluminum foil

What is the limiting reactant?

2Al + 3CuSO4.5H2O ==>3Cu + Al2(SO4)3 + 5H2O

Convert g Al to moles.
Convert g CuSO4.5H2O to moles.

Using the coefficients in the balanced equation convert moles Al and moles CuSO4.5H2O (in separate operations) to moles of any product. The reagent producing the SMALLER moles will be the limiting reagent (and that is always true). .

So the limiting reactant is aluminum?

Thank you so much!

oh wait. no. the limiting reactant is CuSO4

CuSO4.5H2O is the limiting reagent. Right the second time. And I have used CuSO4.5H2O since your first post indicated it was a hydrate. If it actually is a hydrate you should show it as a hydrate when you write it out.

To determine the limiting reactant, we need to calculate the number of moles of each reactant and compare them to the stoichiometric ratio given in the balanced equation.

First, let's calculate the number of moles of copper(II) sulfate (CuSO4):

1. Convert the mass of CuSO4 from grams to moles using its molar mass.
Molar mass of CuSO4 = 63.55 + 32.07 + (4 * 16.00) = 159.61 g/mol

Number of moles of CuSO4 = Mass of CuSO4 / Molar mass of CuSO4
Number of moles of CuSO4 = 1.2 g / 159.61 g/mol

Next, let's calculate the number of moles of aluminum (Al):

1. Convert the mass of aluminum from grams to moles using its molar mass.
Molar mass of Al = 26.98 g/mol

Number of moles of Al = Mass of Al / Molar mass of Al
Number of moles of Al = 1.0 g / 26.98 g/mol

Now, we need to compare the moles of each reactant to the stoichiometric ratio in the balanced equation. The stoichiometric ratio for the reaction is 2 mol Al : 3 mol CuSO4.

1. Calculate the ratio of moles of Al to moles of CuSO4:
Moles ratio = Moles Al / Moles CuSO4

2. Compare the ratio to the stoichiometric ratio:
- If the ratio is equal to or greater than the stoichiometric ratio, then the limiting reactant is CuSO4.
- If the ratio is less than the stoichiometric ratio, then the limiting reactant is Al.

Based on the calculation, you can determine the limiting reactant.