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3.2.4 Limiting reactants (HT only)
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What is a limiting reactant?

What is a limiting reactant?

Diagram showing a mixture of 2 H2 and 2 O2, where 2 H2 react with 1 O2 to form 2 H2O and 1 O2 remains in excess

Reactants are often not mixed in the exact ratio shown by the balanced equation. In this mixture, 2 H2 react with 1 O2 to form 2 H2O, leaving 1 O2 unreacted. The reactant that is completely used up first is the limiting reactant, because it controls the maximum amount of product that can form.

3.2.4 Limiting reactants (HT only) Lesson

  1. GCSE
  2. /Chemistry
  3. /3.2.4 Limiting reactants (HT only)

Step-by-step lessons on AQA GCSE Chemistry 3.2.4 Limiting reactants (HT only). Each one builds up to exam-style questions. Nail the core quantitative topics — moles, balancing equations and calculations — early on, since they underpin higher-tier questions across every paper and topic.

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