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Ch.3 - Chemical Reactions and Reaction Stoichiometry
Chapter 3, Problem 73b

(b) Why are the amounts of products formed in a reaction determined only by the amount of the limiting reactant?

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Limiting Reactant

The limiting reactant is the substance in a chemical reaction that is completely consumed first, thus determining the maximum amount of product that can be formed. Once this reactant is used up, the reaction cannot proceed further, regardless of the amounts of other reactants present. Understanding which reactant is limiting is crucial for predicting the yield of products.
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Stoichiometry

Stoichiometry is the branch of chemistry that deals with the quantitative relationships between the reactants and products in a chemical reaction. It involves using balanced chemical equations to calculate the amounts of substances consumed and produced. This concept is essential for determining how much product can be formed based on the amount of the limiting reactant.
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Reaction Completion

In a chemical reaction, completion refers to the point at which the reactants have been converted into products. The amount of product formed is directly related to the limiting reactant, as it dictates when the reaction stops. Understanding this concept helps clarify why the limiting reactant controls the overall yield of the reaction.
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