Limiting Reagent in Chemical Reactions

What is the concept of limiting reagent in chemical reactions?

The concept of limiting reagent in chemical reactions refers to the reactant that controls the amount of product that can be formed. When one of the reactants is completely consumed, the reaction stops and any excess reactant is left over. The limiting reagent determines the theoretical yield of the product in a reaction.

In a chemical reaction, the limiting reagent is the key component that determines the amount of product that can be produced. It is the reactant that is completely consumed first, leading to the end of the reaction. The concept of limiting reagent is crucial in understanding the stoichiometry of a reaction and calculating the theoretical yield of a product.

When determining the limiting reagent in a reaction, it is essential to compare the amount of each reactant present to the stoichiometry of the balanced chemical equation. The reactant that produces the least amount of product based on the stoichiometry is identified as the limiting reagent.