Detailed Study on Limiting Reagent

Introduction

The reaction comes to an abrupt halt when one of the reactants in a chemical reaction becomes exhausted. It must be established which reactant will restrict the chemical reaction and which reactant will be in excess to determine the quantity of product produced. One approach to identifying the limiting reagent is to calculate the amount of product that each reactant can make; the limiting reagent is the one that produces the fewest consequences. So let’s discuss more about limiting reagents in detail. For better understanding read the topic thoroughly. So let’s begin. 

What is Limiting Reagents?

Limiting reagents are chemicals that are completely consumed during the course of a chemical reaction. Limiting reactants or limiting agents are other terms for them. The stoichiometry of chemical processes states that a specific amount of reactants is required for the reaction to take place.

This reactant is generally responsible for determining whenever the reaction will come to a halt. The reaction stoichiometry is used to compute the actual number of reactants required to react with another element. The mole ratio, not the masses of the reactants available, determines the limiting reagent.

In a reaction, how do you find the limiting reagent?

Let us look at determining which reagent in a reaction is the limiting one.

Two alternative methods were used to calculate the limiting reagent. One technique is to find and compare the mole ratios of the reactants involved in the process. Another way is to compute the grammes of products produced from the reactant quantities, with the limiting reagent producing the lowest amount of product. 

Method 1: Counting the number of moles in each reactant will help locate the limiting reagent.

• To begin, create a balanced chemical equation for the chemical reaction at hand.

• Then, convert all data into moles (using molar mass as a conversion factor).

• The mole ratio must be calculated based on the information provided. After that, compare the outcome to the actual proportions.

• Calculate the number of products that can be formed with the given amount of limiting reactant.

• Finally, calculate how often a non-limiting agent is left over if needed.

Method 2: Calculate and compare the amount of product each reactant should create to find the limiting reagent.

• To begin, make sure the chemical equation for the process you’re working on is balanced.

• Next, through using information provided, convert it to moles.

• Use stoichiometry for each reactant to find the mass of the product generated.

• The product produced by the limiting reagent is the smallest.

• The reagent with more products would’ve been the extra one.

• Lastly, subtract the mass of excess reagent used from the total mass of excess reagent delivered to decide the quantity of residual excess reactant.

Limiting Reactant Example

In a reaction with 1 mol of hydrogen and 1 mol of oxygen, write: 

2H2O = 2H2 + O2 

Even though the reaction consumes hydrogen twice as quickly as oxygen, hydrogen would have been the limiting reactant.

Essential things about Limiting reactant

• The limiting reagent is the one that has been consumed completely. The reaction comes to an end, and no additional products are formed.

• Given the balanced chemical equation representing the reaction, several methods for determining the limiting reagent are used.

• One method for determining the limiting reagent is to compare the mole ratios of reactants’ amounts. This method is especially suitable when there are only two reactants.

• The limiting reagent could also be determined by considering the number of products generated from each reactant.

What Is the Best Way to Find Excess Reagent in Moles? 

To calculate the excess reactant and also the quantity of extra reactant in a chemical reaction, use the steps below.

It is necessary to create a balanced equation that includes all reactants and products. Each one of the reactants involved in the chemical reaction will be used to calculate the mole number of products generated. The excess reagent is the reactant that produces the most product. The mass of the excess reactant utilised in the reaction, as well as the mass which remains unreacted, must now be determined.

Conclusion

Although theoretical yield is defined as the quantity of product produced whenever the limiting reagent responds entirely, the limiting reagent should also be known while computing the percentage yield of a reaction. There seem to be various similar ways for determining the limiting reagent or assessing the excess quantities of other reagents provided the balanced chemical equation defining the reaction. Because the limiting reactant is totally consumed in the reaction, the amount of product you can generate is limited. After the reaction is finished, the excess reactant is the one that is left over. I hope you now fully comprehend the concept of limiting reactants.