In a chemical reaction, the limiting reactant is the reactant that is completely consumed first, determining the amount of product that can be formed. It controls the quantity of the product formed due to its smaller amount compared to the other reactants. The concept of limiting reactant is crucial in stoichiometry to calculate the maximum amount of product that can be obtained.
What is a limiting reactant?
The limiting reactant is the reactant that controls the amount of product formed in a chemical reaction due to its smaller amount.
How is a limiting reactant identified?
To identify a limiting reactant, one needs to calculate the number of moles from the given amount of reactant, find out the number of moles of product with the help of a balanced chemical equation, and then identify the reactant which produces the least amount of product as the limiting reactant.
Can a reaction have more than one limiting reactant?
No, a reaction can only have one limiting reactant as it is the reactant that is completely used up and controls the amount of product formed.
Why is the concept of limiting reactant important in stoichiometry?
The concept of limiting reactant is crucial in stoichiometry as it determines the maximum amount of product that can be formed in a reaction and helps in understanding the efficiency of the reaction.
Can the same reactant be a limiting reactant in different reactions?
Yes, the same reactant can act as a limiting reactant in different reactions depending on the stoichiometry of the reaction and the quantities of the reactants involved.
What happens when the limiting reactant is completely used up in a reaction?
a) The reaction stops
b) The reaction accelerates
c) More product is formed
d) The yield decreases
Answer: a) The reaction stops
How does the limiting reactant affect the quantity of product formed?
a) It increases the product yield
b) It decreases the product yield
c) It controls the amount of product formed
d) It has no impact on the product yield
Answer: c) It controls the amount of product formed
Which reactant determines the amount of product formed in a chemical reaction?
a) Excess reactant
b) Limiting reactant
c) Catalyst
d) Inhibitor
Answer: b) Limiting reactant
What role does the limiting reactant play in determining the product yield?
a) It increases the yield
b) It decreases the yield
c) It controls the yield
d) It has no effect on the yield
Answer: c) It controls the yield
Why is it essential to calculate the limiting reactant in chemical reactions?
a) To determine the color change
b) To predict the reaction temperature
c) To optimize product formation
d) To balance the equation
Answer: c) To optimize product formation