Limiting Reactants

Flashcards covering the concepts of limiting and excess reactants in chemical reactions.

Limiting Reactant

The reactant that is completely consumed in a chemical reaction, determining the amount of product formed.

Excess Reactant

The reactant present in a greater quantity than necessary to react completely with the limiting reactant.

Identifying Limiting Reactant

In limiting reactant problems, it is important to identify the limiting reactant, the excess reactant, and determine the actual amount of product that can form.

Limiting Reactant Problem

A type of problem where the amount of one or more reactants is given and it is necessary to determine which reactant limits the amount of product that can be formed.

Determining the Amount of Product

The limiting reactant determines the amount of product that can be formed in a chemical reaction.

Reactant in Excess

The reactant that is not completely used up in a chemical reaction is considered in excess.

Determining Limiting Reactant in Sodium and Water Reaction

In a reaction of sodium and water, if sodium is completely reacted and there is still water left over in the beaker, sodium is the limiting reactant and water is the excess reactant.

Calculating Product Yield

The amount of hydrogen produced in a reaction between sodium and water is determined by the amount of sodium that reacts.

Reaction Completion

A chemical reaction stops when the limiting reactant is completely consumed.