In a chemical reaction, the amounts of substances (reactants and products) are related to each other by the stoichiometrically equivalent mole ratios obtained from the balanced chemical equation. In principle, given the amount of material of one of the substances, one can define the amounts of all of the other substances, produced or consumed. However, in the case where the amounts of two reactants are given, it is necessary to determine which limits the amount of products which can be formed. The concept of the reactant ratio is discussed as a convenient way to decide. In practice, side reactions, incomplete reactions, and physical loses result in less than the theoretical yield of product, the amount based solely on the molar ratio.
To prepare for this lecture, please read sections 3.8 - 3.9 of Zumdahl.
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