what is a limiting reagent?

[beststriker]

explain some one in detail with any example.....??

 

[Zohaib Sherazi]

Its the reactant that determines how far a reaction proceeds.

For example you're driving your car. How far your car will go depends on the fuel in it. So, the combustion that takes place to release energy from the fuel has petrol as the limiting reagent. While air that contains oxygen is something that is there in excess. But without petrol no combustion will take place. Therefore, a limiting reagent determines how far your reaction goes.

 

[beststriker]

so, the reactant in excess, cannot be limiting reagent.......for e.g
zn(excess)+ HCL ---- ZNCL+H2.
in this eq. zinc is not the limiting reagent...or is?

 

[Zohaib Sherazi]

No, its not as it is in excess.