Making S'mores: Identifying Limiting and Excess Reactants
What are limiting and excess reactants in a chemical reaction?
Identify the limiting reactant and excess reactants in the scenario provided. What is the significance of these terms in determining the outcome of a reaction?
Limiting Reactant and Excess Reactants in a Chemical Reaction
A limiting reactant, also known as a limiting reagent, is the substance that is completely consumed in a chemical reaction, thereby limiting the amount of product that can be formed. On the other hand, excess reactants are the substances that are present in a higher quantity than needed for the reaction to proceed to completion.
In the scenario where you are making S'mores, the graham crackers are the limiting reactants as there are only 26 pieces available, while 25 marshmallows and 15 pieces of chocolate are in excess. This means that you will not be able to make more than 13 S'mores due to the limited supply of graham crackers.
The number of marshmallows left after making the S'mores is 10, and there are 2 pieces of chocolate remaining. This demonstrates the concept of limiting reactants and excess reactants in a practical scenario.
Understanding Limiting Reactants and Excess Reactants
A limiting reagent, or reactant, is a substance that is used up during a chemical reaction. It determines the amount of product that can be formed because the reaction stops once all of the limiting reactant is consumed. Excess reactants, on the other hand, are reactants that are not completely used up in a reaction.
In the context of making S'mores, the concept of limiting reactants and excess reactants can be applied. When the available quantities of marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate are known, it is possible to identify which reactant will be the limiting factor in determining the number of S'mores that can be made.
In this scenario, the graham crackers are the limiting reactants because there are fewer of them compared to the other ingredients. This means that even if there are more marshmallows and chocolate left after making the S'mores, the supply of graham crackers will limit the total number of S'mores that can be produced.
By understanding and identifying limiting reactants and excess reactants in a chemical reaction, it becomes possible to optimize the use of resources and predict the outcome of the reaction based on the available quantities of reactants. This knowledge is crucial in determining the efficiency and yield of a reaction.