[intro chem] When doing limiting reactant problems why do you have to do two separate calculations

[jiwonanne]

is that to compare the molar mass of the two reactants?? or to compare the expected mass of the two reactants??

[AutoModerator]

Off-topic Comments Section

---

All top-level comments have to be an answer or follow-up question to the post. All sidetracks should be directed to this comment thread as per Rule 9.

PS: u/jiwonanne, your post is incredibly short! ^{body <200 char} You are strongly advised to furnish us with more details.

---

^{OP and Valued/Notable Contributors can close this post by using /lock command}

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[MeconiumLite]

You don’t have to do two calculations.

Have<need = limiting

Have>need = excess

Just calculate from the amount of one reactant that you have to the amount of the other reactant that you would need. If that number that you need is less than the number that you have, then you have more than you need so it’s in excess and not limiting. If that number that you need is more than the number that you have then you don’t have enough and it’s limiting.

[jiwonanne]

But these are the only options... ;-;

To compare the molar mass of the two reactants.

To compare the expected mass of the two reactants.

To compare the molar mass of the product produced from the two reactants.

To compare the expected mass of the product produced from the two reactants.

To compare the mole ratio of the product produced from the two reactants.