[gfoss94]

I am wondering what would be required to experimentally determine the limiting reactant in  a reaction between copper and nitric acid with a formula of  Cu (s) + 4HNO3 (aq) ----> Cu(NO3)2 (aq) + 2NO2 (g) + 2H2O (l).  What materials would be required to collect the data for such a reaction and what could be the dependent variable if the independent is the amount of copper, in grams, used?   

[Arkcon]

Okay, start by identifying the reactants.  How are they different from each other.  How can you use the differences to tell them apart.  And can you select a material to collect the information?