Limiting reactant

Content-based Discussion, CBD is one of the most important part for us especially new lecturer before entering the lecture hall. One of the topic discussed in the CBD is the define and determine the limiting reactant. According to the senior lecturers, students mostly found the limiting reactant concept is one of the diffuclt part to understand. Furthermore this is new concept for them.

Students in matriculation only learn the limiting reactant, percentage yield, perform stoichiometric calculations using mole concept including limiting reactant dan percentage yield. Since the topic a bit complex and i already forgot what i will teach them, extra preparation is needed.

What is limiting reactant? The reactant that is completely used up in a chemical reactions and limits the quantity of products formed. When the limiting reactant is used up, the reaction stop. In other words, the reactant that produces the least amount of product is the limiting reactant.

A reactant that remains after a reaction is over is called the excess reactant. once the limiting reactant is used up, no more products can be produced, regardless how much of the excess reactant may be present.

In my final year project, i used limiting reactant concept as a problem to study. According to many chemistry education journals, this concept may tend to misconception among students. Later i will share one of the analogy used during the teaching and learning process.

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