Question

What is the difference between a limiting reactant and an excess reactant?

Answer 1

A limiting reactant is one in which it produces the least amount of product. An excess reactant is one in which it produces more of a product than the limiting reactant.

Explanation:

The excess reactant is present in the products because it did not completely react because there was not enough of the limiting reactant. The limiting reactant determines how much product can be produced.

The image below represents the reaction between hydrogen and oxygen gas to produce water. 4 molecules of `"H"_2"` react with 3 molecules of `"O"_2"`. The products include 4 molecules of water and 1 molecule of oxygen gas that didn't react. In this case the limiting reactant is `"H"_2"` and the excess reactant is `"O"_2"`.