A pile of leaves is lit on fire, and then covered completely with a fire blanket so that the fire goes out. Identify the limiting reactant in this situation.

The limiting reactant in this question is oxygen, O₂.

Explanation:

The equation for fire is

Fuel + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O

In the above equation and from the question we have

Fuel = Pile of leaves

O₂ = Oxygen in the air

When the pile of leaves is lit on fire and the fire is then covered with a fire blanket put out the fire, the blanket limits access of the fire to atmospheric oxygen which limits the amount of oxygen present which therefore limits the amount of CO₂ and H₂O that can be produced.

Hence the covering of the fire by the blanket limits the quantity of oxygen which limits the reaction. Hence oxygen is the limiting reactant.