Limiting Reactant

• What is meant by a limiting reactant?

  It is the reactant that is fully used up in a chemical reaction.
• How does a limiting reactant affect the amount of products in a reaction?

  The amount of product formed is limited by the quantity of the limiting reactant.
• What are the reactants and product in the reaction of magnesium and chlorine?

  • Reactants: Magnesium and Chlorine
  • Product: Magnesium Chloride
• What happens if one mole of magnesium reacts with one mole of chlorine?

  One mole of magnesium chloride is produced with no reactants remaining.
• Why do we often use more of one reactant than the other in chemical reactions?

  To ensure that the limiting reactant fully reacts.
• What is the difference between a limiting reactant and an excess reactant?

  • Limiting Reactant: Fully used up in the reaction
  • Excess Reactant: Not fully used up, remains after the reaction
• In a reaction with 0.5 moles of zinc and 1 mole of iodine, which is the limiting reactant?

  0.5 moles of zinc is the limiting reactant.
• How many moles of zinc iodide are produced from 0.5 moles of zinc?

  0.5 moles of zinc iodide are produced.
• How do you calculate the mass of a product formed in a reaction?

  By multiplying the number of moles by the relative formula mass.
• What is the relative formula mass of zinc iodide?

  319 g/mol
• If 0.25 moles of hydrochloric acid are used, how many moles of sodium chloride can be produced?

  0.25 moles of sodium chloride can be produced.
• What is the relative formula mass of sodium chloride?

  58.5 g/mol
• How do you calculate the mass of sodium chloride produced from 0.25 moles?

  14.6 g
• In the reaction with 0.5 moles of copper sulfate and 1 mole of magnesium, which reactant is limiting?

  0.5 moles of copper sulfate is the limiting reactant.
• How many moles of copper can be produced from 0.5 moles of copper sulfate?

  0.5 moles of copper can be produced.
• How do you find the mass of copper produced from 0.5 moles?

  31.75 g
• What is the overall effect of a limiting reactant on a chemical reaction?

  • Determines the maximum amount of product formed
  • Any excess reactants remain unreacted