Why do chemists often use excess reactants in real-life applications?

• A. To reduce the amount of product formed.
• B. To ensure that the reaction goes to completion and maximizes the yield of the desired product.
• C. To decrease the reaction rate.
• D. To minimize the use of all reactants.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that in chemical reactions, the goal is often to maximize the amount of desired product formed from the reactants.
2. Recognize that a reaction may not go to completion if one reactant is completely consumed before the other, leaving some reactants unreacted and limiting product formation.
3. Using an excess of one reactant ensures that the other reactant is completely consumed, pushing the reaction toward completion according to Le Chatelier's principle.
4. This approach helps maximize the yield of the desired product by preventing the reaction from stopping prematurely due to the shortage of one reactant.
5. Therefore, chemists use excess reactants not to reduce product or decrease reaction rate, but to drive the reaction to completion and maximize product yield.