Consider the equation: A + 4B=3C+3D, when equal masses of A and B are reacted, which is limiting?

My possible answers are:
A)if the molar mass of A is less than the molar mass of B, then B must be limiting.
B) If the molar mass of A is greater than the molar mass of B, then A must be limiting.
C) If the molar mass of A is greater than the molar mass of B, then B must be limiting.
D) If the molar mass of A is less than the molar mass of B, then A must be limiting.
E) neither reactant is limiting

I am pretty sure the answer is D. I understand that a limiting reactant is the reactant that runs out first and limits the amount of prodct that can form. Please help!

Test answer

Another test answer. My work is not posting.

Answer D is not correct.

Try assigning numbers.

10 g A
10 g B
molar mass A = 10
molar mass B = 20

To determine which reactant is limiting, we need to compare the number of moles of each reactant involved in the equation given. The reactant that produces the lesser number of moles will be the limiting reactant.

Let's assume we have equal masses of A and B. Since the molar mass of a substance is the mass of one mole of that substance, the number of moles can be calculated by dividing the mass of a substance by its molar mass.

Let's denote the mass of A as "m_A" and the molar mass of A as "MM_A". Similarly, let's denote the mass of B as "m_B" and the molar mass of B as "MM_B".

The number of moles of A can be calculated as:
n_A = m_A / MM_A

The number of moles of B can be calculated as:
n_B = m_B / MM_B

Since we are assuming equal masses of A and B, m_A = m_B. Therefore:
n_A = m_A / MM_A = m_B / MM_B = n_B

Now, let's consider the equation A + 4B = 3C + 3D.

The equation tells us that 1 mole of A reacts with 4 moles of B. Therefore, if A is limiting, the number of moles of B needed would be 4 times the number of moles of A. Conversely, if B is limiting, the number of moles of A needed would be 1/4 times the number of moles of B.

Now, compare the ratio of n_A to n_B with the ratio of coefficients in the equation.

If the ratio of n_A to n_B is less than 1/4, it means that A is limiting.
If the ratio of n_A to n_B is equal to 1/4, it means that neither reactant is limiting.
If the ratio of n_A to n_B is greater than 1/4, it means that B is limiting.

Based on this analysis, we can conclude that:
If the molar mass of A is less than the molar mass of B, then A must be limiting (option D).

I hope this explanation helps clarify your understanding of how to determine the limiting reactant in a given equation!