1. What is a Limiting Reactant?

The limiting reactant (or limiting reagent) is the substance that is completely consumed in a chemical reaction, thus determining when the reaction stops. The other reactants are in excess.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the limiting reactant formula:

Where:

• moles reactant — Amount of each reactant in moles
• coefficient — Stoichiometric coefficient from balanced equation

Explanation: The reactant with the smallest mole-to-coefficient ratio will be completely consumed first, thus limiting the reaction.

3. Importance of Limiting Reactant

Details: Identifying the limiting reactant is crucial for predicting reaction yields, optimizing reactant usage, and calculating theoretical product amounts.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter moles of each reactant and their respective coefficients from the balanced chemical equation. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why do we need coefficients?
A: Coefficients from the balanced equation show the mole ratios in which reactants combine, essential for accurate limiting reactant determination.

Q2: What if both reactants have the same ratio?
A: When ratios are equal, both reactants will be completely consumed simultaneously (stoichiometric mixture).

Q3: How does this relate to reaction yield?
A: The limiting reactant determines the maximum possible amount of product (theoretical yield).

Q4: Can I use grams instead of moles?
A: You must convert mass to moles first using molar mass, as stoichiometry works with mole ratios.

Q5: What about reactions with more than two reactants?
A: The same principle applies - compare mole/coefficient ratios for all reactants to find the smallest one.