Limiting Reactants Comparison-of-Moles Method

Limiting Reactants A Choice In practice, you must approach analyzing and solving limiting-reactant problems with measurable units, usually mass units. There are two ways to solve these problems. In Section 10.5 we describe the comparison-of-moles method, which is a continuation of the analysis we have been doing. Section 10.6 presents the smaller-amount method, which solves the problem entirely in terms of mass units. 

Please note The two methods are alternatives. We recommend that you learn one or the other, not both. Your instructor will probably direct you by assigning either Section 10.5 or Section 10.6. If the choice is left to you, we suggest that you look at both briefly. Both will enable you to achieve the goal that heads each section. Learn the method that looks best to you, and disregard the other. 

To help you choose, we will tell you the advantages of each method. The com-parison-of-moles method (Section 10.5) is said to yield a better understanding of what happens to all substances present in the reaction. Gaining this understanding now makes it easier to understand more advanced ideas later. On the other hand, the smaller-amount method (Section 10.6) is said to be easier to learn because it requires solving no more than two or three separate stoichiometry problems by methods you already know. 

As you proceed from this point, continue with Section 10.5 or Section 10.6. 

4 Given a chemical equation, or information from which it may be determined, and initial quantities of two or more reactants, (a) identify the limiting reactant, (b) calculate the theoretical yield of a specified product, assuming complete use of the limiting reactant, and (c) calculate the quantity of the reactant initially in excess that remains unreacted. 

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The Problem Limiting Reactants Comparison-of-Moles Method... 

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