Is it possible for there to be more than one limiting reactant in a reaction?
If so, what are the conditions under which this kind of reaction would occur?
Multiple Limiting Reactants? [ENDORSED]
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Re: Multiple Limiting Reactants? [ENDORSED]
Assuming this is a single-stepped reaction, I'd say there can't be more than one limiting reactant because once one reactant is "used up," the reaction will not continue further.
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Re: Multiple Limiting Reactants?
I agree with Jose! In each reaction, there is one limiting reactant, and the other reactants are in excess. Once the limiting reactant is used up, that particular reaction can no longer occur because the amount of product that can be formed is limited, even though there are remaining materials due to excess.
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Re: Multiple Limiting Reactants?
I agree as well since limiting reagents determine the amount of the product in the reaction. The concept that two limiting reagents exist in a single-step reaction would be hard to visualize since that would mean both would determine the amount of product - which cannot be as calculations will differ.
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Re: Multiple Limiting Reactants?
Jose is correct; there will not be more than a single limiting reagent in a reaction since the limited reagent, by definition, prevents the reaction from continuing once its "used up."
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