Limiting reactant problem, help please?

Posted on 2016-04-20 18:17:00 in Chemistry by SKETA

In my lab we are using this balanced equation: 
NaHCO3(s) + CH3CO2H(aq.vinegar) = Na(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g) 

We mixed an alka seltzer tablet that contained NaHCO3 with 35mL of water in container 1, then one in 30 mL of water and 5 mL of vinegar, one in 25 mL of water and 10mL of vinegar - increasing the amount of vinegar by 5mL per container, up to 8 containers where the 8th container had 35 mL of vinegar and 0 mL of water. Density of both should be 1.00g/ml, right? 

If we have x grams of CO2, we can get the number of grams of NaHCO3 REACTED. But my teacher wants us to find the amount of NaHCO3 PRESENT in one tablet. She said that: 
1. You cannot react more than the amount present. 
2. Limiting reactant. Which is LR in each experiment, NaHCO4 or H+? What does it mean? 

Does anyone know how I calculate the limiting reactant of this experiment? 
I also know that the amount of NaHCO3 present in one tablet before the reaction should be more than the amount reacted to produce CO2. I already know that when you have x grams of CO2 you can get grams of NaHCO3 reacted by mol to mol ratio. But how do I find the amount present in a tablet. How do I find limiting reactant? and then from there how do I get amount of nahco3 present?

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