General Limiting Question

[Blake Ballew 1H]

Hey guys, just as a general rule does the limiting reaction ALWAYS decide how much product may form or are there cases where certain parts of the product may be unaffected?

Thanks!

[Jeffrey Hablewitz 2I]

In a chemical reaction, the amount of products created is always dependent on the amount of reactants consumed during the reaction. The moles of product calculated using the limiting reactant represents a theoretical maximum yield if the reaction goes to completion. It is impossible for more product to be formed than calculated using the limiting reactant. However, it is possible that less product is created than calculated depending on the equilibria position of the reaction.

[kristinalaudis3e]

For the most part, the limiting reactant determines how much products can be produced with the full consumption of that reactant, so technically yes. Making less products than calculated possible with the limiting reactant is also a possibility. I hope this helps!

[David Y]

Yes the limiting reactant determines the most of the reactants that can be used to form product before running out. So, the product will be determined by the limiting reactant.

[Tanya Nguyen 1B]

The limiting reactant will affect how much product can be formed. It helps to calculate the theoretical yield to find the amount that could be produced, and there will side reactions so the actual yield will be less than the theoretical yield.

[Serena Song 1A]

Yup, since the limiting reactant will run out first, it determines how much product will be created. It's possible that less product will form than expected in an actual experiment though due to factors such as the reactants sticking to the side of the tubes and not properly reacting.

[Isabella Cortes 2H]

the limiting reactant will always limit the amount of product formed. The amount of product is dependant on how much reactants there are so if there is a limiting reactant, then it will affect the whole chemical equation.

[805421690]

when the reaction is completed, how is the excess reactants affected?

[SashaAnand2J]

Hi Blake!

While the limiting reactant does determine how much product will be formed, note that this is the theoretical yield rather than the actual yield. The actual yield is almost always below the theoretical yield, since not all reactants convert into products regardless of calculations.

[CesarLec1]

The limiting reactants always limits how much product is made. Think of it like if you make a turkey sandwich, if you have endless bread and vegetables and 4 slices of turkey, the turkey will limit how many sandwiches are made.