2.4 Limiting Reactants & Percent Yield

Exam 2

What is a limiting reactant?

The reactant that runs out first and limits the amount of product formed.

What is the excess reactant?

The reactant that is left over after the reaction is complete.

How do you identify the limiting reactant?

Convert both reactants to moles of product. The one that makes less product is the limiting reactant.

What is theoretical yield?

The maximum amount of product that can be formed based on the limiting reactant.

What is actual yield?

The amount of product actually produced in the lab.

What is the formula for percent yield?

Percent Yield = (Actual Yield / Theoretical Yield) × 100%

If a reaction has an actual yield of 30g and a theoretical yield of 40g, what is the percent yield?

(30 / 40) × 100 = 75%