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different ways to determine limiting reactant

Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2018 9:48 pm
by Alyssa Bryan 3F
Is it possible to determine the limiting reactant a different way than how it was taught in class? I think in high school I was taught to convert the moles of each reactant to moles of product and then compare the product moles instead of just comparing the moles of the reactants to determine the limiting reactant. Would either way be okay to do on assignments/tests?

Re: different ways to determine limiting reactant

Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2018 9:50 pm
by 405021651
I think as long as we derive the answer we'll be fine but I'd use the one you're most comfortable with and for like tests just show your work regardless of the method

Re: different ways to determine limiting reactant

Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2018 10:23 pm
by 104904344
I was also taught to compare the mole ratio of the reactants with the ratio in the balanced equation in order to find the limiting reactant. I think this is okay for the tests/assignments as long as we calculate the number of moles of product from the limiting reactant in the end instead of just comparing them.

Re: different ways to determine limiting reactant

Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2018 10:24 pm
by 404536963
I think that if you can try and do it the way it was taught in class it would be beneficial since we will be graded on partial credit so the steps might be an important factor.