Limiting Reagent Vs. Excess Reagent

In class we took notes over limiting reagents and excess reagents in chemical reactions. The limiting reagent is the reactant that runs out first when the product is being formed. Therefore, the maximum amount of the product that can be formed is equivalent to the limiting reagent. On the other hand, excess reagents are the reactants that are left over after the product has been formed in the chemical reaction. I found this link to be helpful in understanding limiting and excess reagents. In order to figure out which reactant is the limiting and excess reagent you have to convert both reactants into the product using given masses, moles, or representative particles. Whichever reactant converts to the lower amount of the product is the limiting reagent and the higher amount is the excess reagent. After calculating out which reactant is the limiting reagent, we can use that amount to determine the amount of the excess reagent that remains. Taking the amount the limiting reagent formed of the product, you convert it to the excess reagent and find the difference between it the given mass or moles. I found this link helpful to practice these problems.