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Key Concepts in Chemistry

Limiting reactants and stoichiometry

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Overview

What a limiting reactant is and why it controls the mass of product, identifying the reactant in excess and why one is often used, and deducing stoichiometry and balanced equations from reacting masses converted into moles.

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Key term

What is meant by the limiting reactant in a reaction?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What is meant by the limiting reactant in a reaction?

    Model answer

    The reactant that is completely used up and so brings the reaction to a stop.

  2. 2

    Explain why the mass of product formed is controlled by the reactant that is not in excess.

    Model answer

    Product can only form while both reactants are present, so no more is made once the reactant not in excess has run out.

  3. 3

    Why does the amount of the reactant in excess have no effect on the mass of product?

    Model answer

    Part of it is simply left over unreacted when the other reactant is used up.

  4. 4

    In 2Mg + O₂ → 2MgO, 0.1 mol of magnesium is burned in 0.5 mol of oxygen. Which reactant is limiting?

    Model answer

    The magnesium, because only 0.05 mol of oxygen is needed to react with it.

  5. 5

    Marble chips are added to dilute hydrochloric acid and some chips remain when fizzing stops. Which reactant was limiting?

    Model answer

    The acid, because it was all used up while marble chips were still present.

  6. 6

    What happens to the mass of product if the amount of limiting reactant is doubled and the other reactant stays in excess?

    Model answer

    The mass of product doubles.

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