Answer: [tex]CH_4[/tex] is the limiting reagent and [tex]O_2[/tex] is the excess reagent.
Explanation:
The balanced chemical reaction is :
[tex]CH_4+2O_2(g)\rightarrow CO_2+2H_2O[/tex]
According to stoichiometry :
1 mole of [tex]CH_4[/tex] require = 2 moles of [tex]O_2[/tex]
Thus 0.250 moles of [tex]CH_4[/tex] will require=[tex]\frac{2}{1}\times 0.250=0.500moles[/tex] of [tex]O_2[/tex]
As [tex]O_2[/tex] present is more than the required amount , it is an excess reagent.
Thus [tex]CH_4[/tex] is the limiting reagent as it limits the formation of product and [tex]O_2[/tex] is the excess reagent.
