the balanced equation for the above reaction is as follows
Ba(OH)₂ + 2HCl ----> BaCl₂ + 2H₂O
stoichiometry of Ba(OH)₂ to HCl is 1:2
number of Ba(OH)₂ moles - 1.5 mol
number of HCl moles - 5.0 mol
limiting reactant is fully consumed during the reaction and amount of product formed depends on amount of limiting reactant present
excess reactant only a fraction of the amount present is used up in the reaction
if Ba(OH)₂ is the limiting reactant
if 1 mol of Ba(OH)₂ reacts with 2 mol of HCl
then 1.5 mol of Ba(OH)₂ reacts with 2 x 1.5 = 3.0 mol of HCl
but 5.0 mol of HCl is present and only 3.0 mol is required
therefore excess reagent is HCl and limiting reactant is Ba(OH)₂
