Scribd
Upload
2 views

Limiting Reactant

Uploaded by

raydanasiong
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
2 views

Limiting Reactant

Uploaded by

raydanasiong
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

LESSON 7 I Limiting reactant

Learning Objectives:
At the end of the lesson the student should be able to:
 Determine the limiting reactant in a reaction and calculate the amount of product
formed.
In a chemical reaction, not all constituents will combine in a 1:1 basis or be completely
used up in the reaction. This means that when the reactants combine, one constituent limits the
reaction and product formation. This reactant is called a limiting reactant. Below is a representation of
limiting and excess reactants.

In the illustration above, a product is produced when reactant A is consumed completely,


leaving some reactants unreacted. Based on this simple illustration, reactant A is consumed completely;
it limits the formation of the product. Thus, reactant A is the limiting reactant. On the other hand, since
some reactant B is left unreacted, reactant B is the excess reactant.

In identifying limiting reactants, you must use the following steps:

1. Write the balanced chemical equation for the chemical reaction.

2. Calculate the available mole of each reactant in the chemical reaction using a referenced
product.

3. Use the balanced chemical equation to determine the mole ratio of the reactants in the
chemical reaction.

4. Compare the available moles of each reactant with the number of moles required for a
complete reaction using the mole ratio.

5. Label the reactant that yields the smallest mole ratio as the limiting reactant.

Example: A 2.00 g sample of ammonia is mixed with 4.00 of oxygen. Which is the limiting reactant?

Solution:

Step 1: Write a balanced chemical equation.

4NH3(g) + 5O2(g) = 4NO(g) + 6H2O(g)

Step 2: Use stoichiometry by comparing the number of moles of a referenced product.

1mol NH 3 4 mol NO 30.0 g mol NO


(2.00 g NH3) ( ¿( )( ) = 3.53 g NO
17 g NH 3 4 mol NH 3 1 mol NO
1 mol O2 4 mol NO 30.0 g mol NO
(4.00 g O2) ( ¿( )( ) = 3.00 g NO
32.0 g NH 3 5 mol O 3 1 mol NO

Note: The reactant that yields the lesser amount of product is the limiting reactant. The other
reactant is called the excess reactant. Thus, oxygen gas is the limiting reactant.

Independent practice:

A mixture of 15 g of iron (III) oxide (Fe2O3) and 8.4 g of carbon monoxide were allowed to react,
forming iron (Fe) and carbon dioxide (CO2). (C-12 g/mol; O-16 g/mol; Fe-55.85 g/mol). Which is the
limiting reactant?

LESSON 7 Activity I Limiting reactant


1. Calculate the mass of magnesium oxide (MgO) possible if 2.40 g Mg reacts with 10.0 g O2.
Which is the limiting reactant.
Mg + O2 → MgO

2. What is the limiting reagent if 76.4 grams of C2H3Br3C2H3Br3 were reacted with 49.1 grams
of O2O2?
C2H3Br3 + O2 → CO2 + H2O + Br2
3. Will 28.7 grams of SiO2SiO2 react completely with 22.6 grams of H2F2? If not, identify the
limiting reagent.
SiO2 + H2F2 → SiF4+ H2O

You might also like