CHM 115 High School Review Packet Spring 2025: Section 3.3 and 3.4

Steps for Balancing Chemical Equations and Steps for Determining the Limiting Reactant

Skeleton Equation

Translate the chemical statement into a what?

Most Complex and Least Complex

Balance the atoms, starting with the _____ _______ substance (e.g. the one with the largest number of different atoms) and ending with the _____ ______ substance (e.g. an element)

Whole Numbers

Adjust the coefficients to what?

Balanced

Check that the equation is what?

Matter

Add states of what?

Balance the chemical equaiton, if not already balanced

When determining the limiting reactant, what must you do first?

Calculate the moles of product produced from each of the given quantities of reactants.

What is the second step of determining the limiting reactant?

Yes, just be consistent and use the same product for each reactant

Second Step of Determining the limiting reactant: If there are two products, can you choose either one?

Whichever reactant produces the fewest moles of product

Step 3 of determining the limiting reactant: How do you know which reactant is limiting?

amount of product formed

The relative amount of reactants do not determine which is limiting, but rather the
_____________, which is based on the molar ratio in the balanced equation.