Stoichiometry and Limiting Reactants in Chemical Reactions
What is the stoichiometry of the reactants and how do we identify the limiting reactant in a chemical reaction?
A. The stoichiometry is 1.5 and sand is the limiting reactant.
B. The stoichiometry is 0.64 and sand is the limiting reactant.
C. The stoichiometry is 1.55 and metal is the limiting reactant.
D. The stoichiometry is 0.64 and metal is the limiting reactant.
Answer:
To calculate the stoichiometry of the reactants and identify the limiting reactant, you need to determine the mole ratio between the sand and metal. The reactant with the smallest mole ratio is the limiting reactant.
When determining the stoichiometry of the reactants in a chemical reaction, it is important to consider the balanced chemical equation. By comparing the moles of each reactant to their respective coefficients in the balanced equation, we can determine the stoichiometry and limiting reactant.
For example, if we have 4.5g of sand and 7g of metal in a reaction, we can start by converting these masses to moles using the molar masses of sand and metal. This allows us to calculate the mole ratio between the two reactants.
Once we have the mole ratio, we can identify the limiting reactant. The reactant with the smallest mole ratio is the limiting reactant because it will be completely consumed in the reaction, limiting the amount of product that can be formed.
Therefore, by understanding the stoichiometry of the reactants and identifying the limiting reactant, we can optimize the reaction conditions and improve the yield of the desired product. Stoichiometry plays a crucial role in balancing chemical equations and predicting the outcome of reactions.