IB Chemistry Topic R2.1.3 Limiting and Excess Reactants Revision Notes (SL/HL)

IB Chemistry Topic R2.1.3 Limiting and Excess Reactants Revision Notes (SL/HL) | RevisionDojo

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Limiting Reactants: Unlocking the Key to Reaction Efficiency

Analogy

Consider you are baking cookies, and the recipe requires 2 cups of flour and 1 cup of sugar to make a batch.
However, you only have 4 cups of flour but 3 cups of sugar. How many batches can you make?
The answer depends on the ingredient that runs out first. With 4 cups of flour you can make 2 batches, and with 3 cups of sugar you can make 3 batches, so the flour is limiting.

This idea of a "limiting ingredient" applies to chemistry as well, where reactions depend on the availability of reactants.

The Limiting Reactant and Excess Reactant

Definition

Limiting reagent

In a chemical reaction, the limiting reactant is the substance that is completely consumed first, stopping the reaction from proceeding further.

It determines the theoretical yield, or the maximum amount of product that can be formed.

Definition

Excess reactant

The excess reactant is the substance that remains after the reaction is complete because there’s more of it than needed.

Why Does This Matter?

Understanding limiting reactants is essential for optimizing chemical reactions, whether in industrial processes, laboratory experiments, or environmental applications.
It ensures efficient use of resources and minimizes waste.

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Note

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Tip

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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

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Limiting Reactants: Unlocking the Key to Reaction Efficiency

Analogy

Consider you are baking cookies, and the recipe requires 2 cups of flour and 1 cup of sugar to make a batch.
However, you only have 4 cups of flour but 3 cups of sugar. How many batches can you make?
The answer depends on the ingredient that runs out first. With 4 cups of flour you can make 2 batches, and with 3 cups of sugar you can make 3 batches, so the flour is limiting.

This idea of a "limiting ingredient" applies to chemistry as well, where reactions depend on the availability of reactants.

The Limiting Reactant and Excess Reactant

Definition

Limiting reagent

In a chemical reaction, the limiting reactant is the substance that is completely consumed first, stopping the reaction from proceeding further.

It determines the theoretical yield, or the maximum amount of product that can be formed.

Definition

Excess reactant

The excess reactant is the substance that remains after the reaction is complete because there’s more of it than needed.

Why Does This Matter?

Understanding limiting reactants is essential for optimizing chemical reactions, whether in industrial processes, laboratory experiments, or environmental applications.
It ensures efficient use of resources and minimizes waste.

Definition

Paywall

(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Note

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation.

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Tip

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

Structure 1. Models of the particulate nature of matter5 subtopics

Structure 2. Models of bonding and structure4 subtopics

Structure 3. Classification of matter2 subtopics

Reactivity 1. What drives chemical reactions?4 subtopics

Reactivity 2. How much, how fast and how far?3 subtopics

Reactivity 3. What are the mechanisms of chemical change?4 subtopics

IB Chemistry R2.1.3 Limiting and Excess Reactants Notes

Structure 1. Models of the particulate nature of matter5 subtopics

Structure 2. Models of bonding and structure4 subtopics

Structure 3. Classification of matter2 subtopics

Reactivity 1. What drives chemical reactions?4 subtopics

Reactivity 2. How much, how fast and how far?3 subtopics

Reactivity 3. What are the mechanisms of chemical change?4 subtopics

Limiting Reactants: Unlocking the Key to Reaction Efficiency

The Limiting Reactant and Excess Reactant

Why Does This Matter?

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account

Limiting Reactants: Unlocking the Key to Reaction Efficiency

The Limiting Reactant and Excess Reactant

Why Does This Matter?

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account