Chapter 12, Problem 52A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: To determine the limiting reagent in a chemical reaction.

Concept Introduction: A reactant that will be completely consumed at the end of a chemical reaction is known as the limiting reagent. This reagent controls the amount of product produced because the reaction would not be able to proceed without it.

Answer to Problem 52A

Calculate the amount of each reactant that is present and compare it to the amount of each reactant in the balanced chemical equation to determine which one was the limiting reactant.

Explanation of Solution

There are a few steps that help in the determination of limiting reagents.

• For the chemical reaction, the chemical equation must be balanced.
• Determine the moles using the information provided.
• To calculate the mass of the final product, use stoichiometry for every individual component.
• The limiting reagent would be the reactant that yields the least amount of product.