Limiting Reactants
Chemistry: Edexcel IGCSE, topic 5.1.14
Limiting Reactants
In many chemical reactions, it is important to use up a reactant completely.
Limiting reactant
- The reactant that is completely used up is called the limiting reactant because the reaction stops when it is used up.
E.g. neutralising an acid
- It's important that no acid remains after the reaction.
- This is achieved by using an excess (‘more than necessary’) amount of the other reactant.
Test yourself on Limiting Reactants
How do we describe it when more of a reactant is used than is necessary?
Why does a reaction stop when the limiting reactant is used up?
Select the correct statement for each pair.