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In a [[chemical reaction]], the '''limiting reactant''' is the species which is in lowest [[stoichiometry|stoichiometric]] quantity. In other words, it is the reactant which is consumed before any others.
In a [[chemical reaction]], the '''limiting reactant''' is the species which is in lowest [[stoichiometry|stoichiometric]] quantity. In other words, it is the reactant which is consumed before any others.
==See Also==
==Example==
Take the chemical reaction
:<math>2H_2 + O_2 \rightarrow 2H_2O</math>.
Say you have equimolar quantities of [[hydrogen]] (H<sub>2</sub>) and [[oxygen]] (O<sub>2</sub>). Since 2 [[mole]]s of hydrogen are required for every 1 mole of oxygen, when all the hydrogen is used up there is still leftover oxygen. Thus, hydrogen is the limiting reactant, because it is used up first.
==See also==
*[[Rate limiting step]]
*[[Rate limiting step]]
[[Category:Chemistry]]
[[Category:Chemistry]]