Question

4 moles of CH4 and 4 moles of O2 are reacted, then what type of reactant CH4 is?

(a) Limiting reagent

(b) Excess reagent

(c) Can’t say

(d) None of the mentioned

I had been asked this question in a job interview.

This is a very interesting question from Stoichiometry Applications Terminology topic in division The Chemical Reaction Equation & Stoichometry, Material Balances for Processes Involving Reaction and Multiple Units of Basic Chemical Engineering

Answer 1

The correct choice is (b) Excess reagent

Explanation: The balanced chemical reaction is CH4 + 2O2 -> CO2 + 2H2O, => If 4 moles of O2 are reacting only 2 moles of CH4 will react, this means CH4 is an excess reagent.