Excess and Limiting Reactants

What will happen between 2 or more reactants in a chemical reaction?

Often 1 of the reactants will run out before the others then have some of the other reactants left over.

What happens when a reactant’s left over?

The reactant that’s left over is in excess.

What happens when a reactant’s run out?

The reactant that runs out is the limiting reactant.

How to work out which reactants are in excess and which is the limiting reactant: (1)

Write the balanced symbol equation for the reaction.

How to work out which reactants are in excess and which is the limiting reactant: (2)

Pick 1 of the reactants and its quantity as given in the question.

How to work out which reactants are in excess and which is the limiting reactant: (3)

Use the ratio of the reactants in the balanced equation to see how much of the other reactants you need.

How to work out which reactants are in excess and which is the limiting reactant: (4)

Compare this value to the quantity given in the question.

How to work out which reactants are in excess and which is the limiting reactant: (5)

Determine which reactant is in excess and which is limiting.