LIMITING REAGENT & SiO2(s) + 3C(s)  SiC(s) + 2CO(g)

EXCESS REAGENT a. Which is the limiting reagent?

LIMITING REAGENT b. Identify the excess reagent.
 A limiting reaction (limiting c. How many grams of CO are
reagent) in a chemical reaction. formed?
d. Calculate the Percent yield if
 Is the substance that is used up
upon performing the reaction,
first.
58.6 grams of CO is produced.
 Limits the amount of product
that can form. 70.0 g 50.0 g
EXCESS REAGENT SiC +
SiO2 + 3C 
Balanced
 In a chemical reaction, reactants Equation 2CO
that are not used up when the Convert For SiO2 For C
70.0g = ____ mol 50.0g = ____ mol
reaction is finished are called reactants into
70.0g 50.0g
excess reagents. moles (divide Mol SiO2=
60.09
Mol SiO2=
12.00
Given: the amount, in grams, of 2 mass by the g/mol g/mol
MM) =1.16 mol SiO2 =4.16 mol C
reactants
Divide by
Required: amount of product from coefficients of
1.16/1 4.16/3
= 1.16 = 1.39
theoretical yield reactants
Choose smaller 1.16 (from SiO2)  smallest
LIMITING value value
Limiting
REAGENT PROBLEM Reagent
a. SiO2
Excess
STEP IN DETERMINING THE b. C
Reagent
LIMITING REAGENT:
1. Convert the given amount of MM of SiO2 = 1S + 2O
reactants to moles (grams to = 1(28.09) + 2(16.00)
mole). = 60.09 g/mol
2. Divide the number of moles by
the coefficient of reactants. MM of C = 1C
3. Reactant with smaller computed = 1(12.01)
value is the limiting reagent. = 12.01 g/mol
Example:
1 mole
Silicon carbide, SiC, is a ceramic c. How many grams of CO are
material that tolerates extreme formed? (mass to mass cal)
temperatures and is used as an 70.0 g x = grams
abrasive and in the brake discs of SiO2 + 3C  SiC + 2CO
sports car. Given 70.0g of SiO2 and 2 moles
50.0 grams of C, determine the Limiting Reagent = SiO2
following: x = theoretical yield
Solution & Answer (c):
 When the reaction does not go to completion, or some of the product
produced may be less.
 Theoretical yield is the maximum amount of product, which is calculated
using the balance equation.
 Actual yield is the amount of product actually obtained.
 Percent yield is the ratio of actual yield to theoretical yield.
actual yield
Percent yield % = × 100%
theoretical yield

d. Calculate the percent yield if upon performing the reaction, 56.7 grams of
CO is produced.
actual yield Actual yield = 56.7g
Percent yield % = × 100%
theoretical yield Theoretical yield = 65.3g