Question detail
What is a limiting reactant in a chemical reaction?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Use of amount of substance in relation to masses of pure substances
Question
- A. The reactant that is completely used up
- B. The reactant that is present in excess
- C. The reactant that produces the most product
- D. The reactant that is the most expensive
Answer
The reactant that is completely used up
Explanation
The limiting reactant is defined as the reactant that is completely consumed in a reaction, determining the maximum amount of product formed.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Limiting Reactants
Students often think that the limiting reactant is the one present in the smallest mass, rather than the one that runs out first based on the mole ratio.
To fix this, students should practice calculating the moles of each reactant and compare them using the balanced equation to determine which reactant limits the product formation.
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