Experiment 4:

Limiting Reactant
Version 5

Lynta Thomas, Ph.D. and Laura B. Sessions, Ph.D.

In this experiment, you will perform a chemical reaction varying the stoichiometry of the reactants
to determine the limiting reactant and excess reactant in each trial. You will also calculate percent
yield.

Objectives
• Assess chemical quantities related to compounds (mass, molar mass, moles,
molecules/formula units, and percent composition).
• Understand mole relationships among reactants and products in a reaction given a balanced
chemical equation.
• Evaluate and apply the concept of solution concentration.
• Calculate the theoretical yield and percent yield in a chemical reaction.

Learning Outcomes
• Understand the factors influencing chemical reactivity and quantitative relationships among
species involved in a reaction.
• Employ conceptual learning outcomes and perform essential lab techniques in a laboratory
setting.

Definitions
• Actual yield – the amount of product obtained in a chemical reaction
• Coefficients – numbers in front of the chemical formulas in a chemical equation that specify
the relative amounts of each substance, in molecules or moles
• Excess reactant (or excess reagent) – the reactant that remains at the end of a chemical
reaction when the limiting reactant is completed used up
• Law of conservation of mass – states that in a chemical reaction, matter is neither created
nor destroyed
• Limiting reactant (or limiting reagent) – the reactant that is completely used up during a
chemical reaction, and therefore limits the amount of product that can be formed
• Molarity, M – unit of concentration; expressed as moles of solute per liters of solution, mol/L
• Percent yield – a percent ratio of the product obtained (actual yield) divided by the
theoretically possible amount of product (theoretical yield)
• Stoichiometry – the quantitative relationship between substances in a chemical reaction,
based upon the law of definite proportions and the law of conservation of mass
• Theoretical yield – the amount of product predicted by the reaction stoichiometry

The authors will grant permission for not-for-profit reuse or modification in any format at no charge. Please contact the
authors ([email protected] ) for permission. Appropriate credit should be given.
Techniques
• Technique 1: Cleaning Glassware
• Technique 2: Using a Balance
• Technique 5 Video Tech. 5: Using a Volumetric Pipet
• Technique 11: Disposing Chemical Waste
• Technique 17 Video Tech. 17: Filtration by Vacuum

Introduction
Metals are important materials due to their physical properties such as hardness, malleability,
ductility, and high melting point.1 They are used for many structural applications such as ships,
buildings, underground tanks, and pipelines. One downside is that metals can be reactive and
undergo corrosion especially in the presence of electrolytes (Figure 1); note the white color of the
corrosion.2 In one interesting example, an aluminum tank truck used to transport molasses suddenly
showed corrosion, even though molasses does not normally cause this issue.3 After extensive
investigation, it was discovered that one batch of molasses had been made in a copper kettle. And,
there were enough copper ions in the
molasses from the kettle to cause
corrosion of the aluminum tank.

Today, you will act as a chemical

engineer to study the reactivity of
aluminum metal in a solution of copper
ions. Your supervisor at the Mole of
Molasses Bulk Sweets Company would
like a general report to share with your
supplier of molasses, to try to convince
them to discontinue the use of the
copper kettles in order to save your
tanker trucks.
Figure 1. A DC-6/C-118 Liftmaster Made of Aluminum and
Chemical reactions are represented by Fiberglass Shows Corrosion. “Aircraft Restoration” U.S. Air
balanced chemical equations. The Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Shawn J. Jones used under the
equation provides a great deal of Public Domain.
information about the reaction it
represents and the substances involved. The amount of every substance consumed and produced in
a chemical reaction is related to the amounts of all the other substances in the equation. According
to the law of the conservation of mass, in a chemical reaction, there must be the same number of
atoms of each kind on both sides of the equation. Since matter is conserved in a chemical reaction,
chemical equations must balance for mass.

For example, consider the reaction between solid phosphorus and gaseous chlorine to produce liquid
phosphorus trichloride. As represented by the chemical equation, the total mass of reactants equals
the total mass of products.

Limiting Reactant v5 2
The study of the numerical relationship between chemical quantities in a chemical reaction is called
stoichiometry. The stoichiometric coefficients are the numbers in front of the chemical formulas in a
balanced chemical equation. The coefficients specify the relative amounts of each substance, in
molecules or moles, involved in the reaction. For example, when ethane is burned in the presence of
oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water are produced:

According to the equation, 2 molecules of C2H6 react with 7 molecules of O2 to form 4 molecules of
CO2 and 6 molecules H2O, or 2 moles of C2H6 react with 7 moles of O2 to form 4 moles of CO2 and
6 moles H2O.

The coefficients allow us to convert between numbers of moles of reactants and reactants, products
and products, or reactants and products. The stoichiometric ratio is the ratio of the coefficients of any
two species (reactants or products) in a balanced chemical reaction. Conversion factors can be set up
to convert from moles of reactants to products or vice-versa using the stoichiometric ratio. For the
reactant C2H6 and the product CO2, the conversion factors are:

For chemical reactions with multiple reactants, it is likely that one of the reactants will be completely
consumed before the others. A reactant that is completely consumed in a chemical reaction is called
a limiting reactant or limiting reagent. When this reactant is completely consumed, the reaction stops
and no more products are formed since the reaction cannot continue without it.

Returning to the example of ethane, we can ask how many grams of carbon dioxide can be made from
4.00 g of C2H6 and 6.00 g of O2?

To solve, first convert mass to moles, since the stoichiometry is based upon moles or molecules:
1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐶2 𝐻6
4.00 𝑔 𝐶2 𝐻6 × = 0.1330 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐶2 𝐻6
30.070 𝑔 𝐶2 𝐻6
1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑂2
6.00 𝑔 𝑂2 = = 0.1875 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑂2
32.00 𝑔 𝑂2

Note that extra digits are carried through the calculation to avoid rounding errors; the last significant
figure is underlined.

Limiting Reactant v5 3
Then, use the stoichiometry to determine which reactant will yield less product:
4 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐶𝑂2
0.1330 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐶2 𝐻6 × = 0.2660 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐶𝑂2
2 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐶2 𝐻6
4 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐶𝑂2
0.1875 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑂2 × = 0.1071 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐶𝑂2
7 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑂2
In this case, the oxygen is the reactant that makes the least amount of product; it is the limiting
reactant. The maximum amount of the product that can be produced in a chemical reaction is
determined by the limiting reactant.
The amount of product that can be produced from the limiting reactant in a chemical reaction is called
the theoretical yield of the reaction. For the example of ethane, the theoretical yield is determined by
the oxygen since it is the limiting reactant:
44.01 𝑔 𝐶𝑂2
0.1071 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐶𝑂2 × = 4.713 𝑔 𝐶𝑂2
1 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐶𝑂2
Actual yield is the amount of product obtained experimentally, which may differ from the theoretical
for many reasons. The actual yield of the product is expressed as a percentage of the theoretical yield
and is called the actual percent yield or just percent yield. For example, if we burn 4.00 g of C2H6 and
6.00 g of O2, and carefully collect the carbon dioxide produced, we may only obtain 4.620 g.
(𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑)
% 𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 = 𝑥 100
(𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑)
4.620 𝑔
% 𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 = 𝑥 100 = 98. 03 = 98.0% 𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑
4.713 𝑔

This lower than expected yield occurs in combustion reactions since carbon monoxide (CO) and soot
are produced as by-products of the reaction. Percent yield is a unitless quantity. When calculating
percent yield, both the theoretical yield and the actual yield must be in the same units. These yield
units need not be only in grams; the amount can also be expressed in moles or volume.
In this experiment, one of the reagents will be in solution. So, the moles of reagent will be calculated
from volume and a known concentration. For example, if 20.00 mL of 0.25 M copper(II) chloride
solution were pipetted into a flask, the number of moles of copper(II) chloride in the flask would be:
1𝐿 0.25 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐶𝑢𝐶𝑙2
20.00 𝑚𝐿 𝐶𝑢𝐶𝑙2 × × = 5.0 × 10−3 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐶𝑢𝐶𝑙2
1000 𝑚𝐿 1 𝐿 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
In this experiment, you will add aluminum foil to a known concentration of an aqueous solution of
copper(II) chloride. The products of the reaction are solid copper, aqueous aluminum chloride, and
water. This is a single displacement reaction, which is also classified as an oxidation-reduction
reaction. Aluminum is more active than copper and will displace copper from the copper(II) chloride
solution. A red precipitate of metallic copper will form.

Aluminum is a highly reactive silvery-white metal. Usually, the surface of the metal is covered with a
very thin layer of oxide (white Al2O3) that forms rapidly in air, providing excellent corrosion

Limiting Reactant v5 4
resistance and protecting the metal from further attack by air. Aluminum does not show its true
reactivity until the oxide layer is disturbed. 4 Adding concentrated hydrochloric acid disturbs this
oxide layer, and also serves to increase the reaction rate due to the activity of the hydrogen ion.

The stoichiometric ratios of the reactants and the products are known from the balanced chemical
equation. The molarity and volume of the copper(II) chloride solution will be given to you; by
weighing the aluminum, the limiting reactant in each experimental trial can be determined. Once the
limiting reactant is identified, the theoretical yield of the reaction can be calculated. From the
experiment results, the actual yield and percent yield of the precipitate formed is determined. You
can expect high yield for this reaction (>90%). Make careful observations though since residual
aluminum can cause elevated yields, and black copper(II) oxide can be a by-product.

Experimental Procedure
List of Chemicals

• ~0.50 M copper(II) chloride solution

• aluminum foil
• 6 M hydrochloric acid
Hydrochloric acid is corrosive to skin, eyes, and clothing. Copper(II) chloride is toxic
via ingestion; be careful to wear gloves, avoid touching face, phone, and other items.
Wear appropriate personal protective equipment. Wash hands well before leaving the
lab. Use Safety Data Sheet (SDSs) to learn about proper handling of these chemicals. Safety
(The SDSs are available in the laboratory or online at www.hazard.com.)

List of Materials and Glassware

• One 50-mL beaker

• Three 100-mL beakers
• Four 250-mL beakers (or two 250-mL and two 150-mL)
• One watch glass
• One 10-mL graduated cylinder
• One 15-mL volumetric pipet
• Pipet bulb
• Büchner funnel
• Side-arm flask
• Vacuum hose
• Neoprene rubber adapter
• Clamp to hold the side-arm flask
• Filter paper
• Two glass stirring rods
• Oven set at 115 °C (or storage for samples to air dry until next week)

Part A: Identifying the Limiting and Excess Reactant in the Chemical Reaction

In this experiment, you will complete two sets of reactions. Label the two sets of reactions as
Trial 1 and Trial 2. You will use 15.00 mL of copper(II) chloride solution, but different masses of
aluminum foil for each trial.

Limiting Reactant v5 5
 Using the periodic table, complete Table 1. You might need these values when doing the
calculations.

Record the data measured in this section in Data Table 2 and your observations in Data Table 3.
1. Obtain a 50-mL beaker, a watch glass, and a 10-mL graduated cylinder.
2. Label beaker as 6 M HCl and pour approximately 10 mL of 6 M HCl into it using the 10-mL
graduated cylinder. Cover the beaker with the watch glass. Set aside for now.
3. Obtain three clean, dry 100-mL beakers. Label each with one of the following names:
• CuCl2 S.S.
• Trial 1
• Trial 2
4. Pour approximately 50 mL of the copper(II) chloride stock solution (S. S.) into the beaker
labeled “CuCl2 S.S.” Record the exact concentration of the copper(II) chloride solution written
on the label of the bottle in your data table. You will need this concentration
to do your calculations.
5. Following the proper procedure, condition a 15-mL pipet with the solution
that is in the “CuCl2 S.S.” beaker, then pipet 15.00 mL of the solution from the
“CuCl2 S.S” beaker into the beaker labeled Trial 1. Using the same pipet, pipet Technique 5
15.00 mL of the solution that’s in your “CuCl2 S.S” beaker into the beaker Video Tech. 5
labeled Trial 2.
6. Cut two pieces of aluminum foil, one approximately 4 cm x 6 cm; the other approximately 6
cm x 6 cm.
7. Obtain two weighing boats. Label them as Trial 1 and Trial 2.
8. Using an analytical balance, place the Trial 1 boat on the balance and tare the
boat. Place the smaller aluminum foil on the boat. Make sure the mass of the
aluminum foil is between 0.09 and 0.11g (if it measures more break a piece
off, if it measures less add another piece of aluminum foil - it does not have to Technique 2
be a whole piece, it can be several pieces). Write the actual mass of the
aluminum foil displayed on the balance in your data table.
9. Next, using the same analytical balance, place the Trial 2 boat on it and tare the boat. Place
the larger aluminum foil on the boat. Make sure the mass of the aluminum foil is between
0.135 and 0.145g. Write the actual mass of the aluminum foil displayed on the balance in your
data table.
10. You must perform the following part of the experiment in a fume hood or under a snorkel
fume extractor:
a. Cut the smaller aluminum foil into small pieces, collecting the cuttings in the Trial 1
boat. (Smaller pieces increase the reaction rate).
b. Cut the larger aluminum foil into small pieces, collecting the cuttings in the Trial 2
boat.
c. Record observations and color of the solution in each beaker and the aluminum foil
in your data table (Table 3).
d. Note the time, then place the foil in the Trial 1 boat into the Trial 1 beaker containing
the copper(II) chloride solution. Then transfer the foil that’s in the Trial 2 boat into
the Trial 2 beaker containing the copper(II) chloride solution.

Limiting Reactant v5 6
 e. For the next ten minutes, stir the solution in each beaker every minute, using two
glass stirring rods. Break up the chunks of copper forming with the stirring rod to
allow all the aluminum to react.
f. Once the ten minutes have passed, measure 2.0 mL of 6 M HCl in the 10-mL graduated
cylinder. Add the acid to the beaker labeled Trial 1 and stir the solution. Measure
another 2.0 mL of the 6M HCl acid and add it to the beaker labeled Trial 2.
g. Continue stirring both reaction mixtures regularly for 10 more minutes. Then add 2.0
mL more of the HCl to each beaker.
h. Stir the reaction for 10 more minutes.
i. Inspect it carefully to see if the reaction is complete. The reaction is complete when
no more bubbles or effervescence are observed, and all the aluminum disappears. If
it is still reacting, add an additional 2.0 mL of 6 M HCl. Stir one more time and let it sit
for a few minutes (2-4 minutes).

While waiting, use this time to have one group member stir while the other sets up the filtrations
for Part B.

11. Allow the reaction mixture to settle. Record your observations for the content of each beaker
in your data table.

Part B: Filtration and Measuring the Product

You will perform vacuum filtration to separate the copper product. Record the data collected
from this section in Data Table 4.
1. Obtain and label two 150-mL or 250-mL beakers (Trial 1 and Trial 2 and your
initials). Measure the mass of each labeled beaker and record the masses in
your data table.
2. Obtain two filter papers. Label outer edge of the filter papers using a pencil Technique 17
(Trial 1 and Trial 2 and your initials). Measure the mass of each labeled filter Video Tech. 17
paper, record the masses in your data table.
3. Obtain a Büchner funnel, side-arm flask, vacuum hose, and a clamp. Set up the vacuum-
filtration system following Technique 17.
4. Filter the Trial 1 solution through the vacuum-filtration system:
a. Pour the supernatant solution from the beaker onto the filter paper using a glass
stirring rod to direct the flow.
b. Add 15 – 20 mL of distilled water into the beaker containing the solid copper and stir
using the glass rod (to remove any excess acid trapped in the precipitate.) Allow the
solid to settle and transfer the supernatant solution from the beaker onto the filter
paper.
c. Transfer the entire solid onto the filter paper.
d. Thoroughly rinse the sides of the filter paper and the residue (red-colored solid
copper) in the filter paper with distilled water.
e. Leave the residue on the filter paper until all the water is completely drained.

Limiting Reactant v5 7
 5. Transfer each filter paper containing the copper from Büchner funnel to the corresponding
beakers labeled Trial 1 and Trial 2.
6. Heat beakers with the filter paper and solid copper for 15–20 minutes in an oven at 115 °C to
dry them.
7. Using the tongs and hot gloves, remove the heated beakers containing the filter paper with
the solid copper from the oven. Place each on a hot pad to cool.
8. After cooling, weigh each beaker with the filter paper and the solid copper. Record the masses
in your data table.
9. Place each beaker with the filter paper and the solid copper back in the oven and continue
heating for 5 more minutes. Allow it to cool, and re-mass. Continue heating, cooling, and
weighing (two more times if required), until you get a constant mass (± 0.01 g between two
consecutive masses) for the beaker with the filter paper and the solid.

The last mass obtained after the heating and cooling is used for calculating the final mass of the
solid product formed in the reaction. This mass is your experimental or actual yield. Note: It is
incorrect to take the average of all the masses measured while drying. The average will not give
you the accurate mass of the final solid product. Use the last mass only.
Part C: Calculations
Complete the calculations required in Tables 5 and 6. Don’t forget to add a title to these two
tables and to show your calculations.
Clean up/Disposal

• Pour all liquid waste into the liquid waste container. Rinse the beaker and
any glassware with small portions of water and discard the rinses in the
liquid waste container.
• Solid waste must be discarded in the solid waste container. Technique 11
• Clean the glassware with soap and tap water, and discard in the sink. Rinse it
twice with distilled water, dry the outside of the glassware, and replace in its original location.
• Place the volumetric pipets tip up in the pipet canister.

References
1. Chemistry Libretexts. Metals, Nonmetals, and Metalloids.
https://chem.libretexts.org/Textbook_Maps/General_Chemistry_Textbook_Maps/Map%3A_Ch
emistry%3A_The_Central_Science_(Brown_et_al.)/07._Periodic_Properties_of_the_Elements/7.6
%3A_Metals%2C_Nonmetals%2C_and_Metalloids, accessed June 19, 2017.
2. Chemistry Libretexts. Sacrificial Anode.
https://chem.libretexts.org/Core/Analytical_Chemistry/Electrochemistry/Case_Studies/Corros
ion/Sacrificial_Anode, accessed June 18, 2017.
3. Understanding the Corrosion Behavior of Aluminum. Corrosion of Aluminum and Aluminum
Alloys; Davis, J. R., Ed.; ASM International: Materials Park, OH, 1999; p. 39.
4. Sobel, Sabrina G.; Cohen, Skyler. Spectator IONS Are Important! A Kinetic Study of the Copper-
Aluminum Displacement Reaction. J. Chem. Ed. 2010, 87 (6), 616-618.

Limiting Reactant v5 8
Pre-lab

The pre-lab assignment must be completed before you come to the lab.

1. Given the chemical reaction: Fe(s) + CuSO4(aq) → FeSO4(aq) + Cu(s), answer the following
questions.

a. Is the chemical equation above balanced?

b. Using the coefficients from the balanced chemical equation for the above reaction; write
the mole-to-mole ratio between each of the reactants and solid product (copper.)

2. Write the balanced chemical equation for the reaction between solid aluminum and aqueous
solution of copper(II) chloride.

a. Using the coefficients from the balanced chemical equation for the above reaction; write
the mole-to-mole ratio between each of the reactants and solid product (copper.)
b. Determine the molar mass of aluminum metal and copper metal.
c. Determine how many moles of copper(II) chloride are in 15.00 mL of a 0.500M solution.
d. When 0.200 grams of Al reacts with 15.00 mL of a 0.500 M copper(II) chloride solution,
how many moles of solid Cu would be produced? How many grams of solid Cu would be
produced? Show all calculations including the mole-to-mole ratios used in the calculation.
3. If the solid copper product is recorded with the following information in the excerpt of
Table 3 below, what should be recorded for the mass of copper product formed in the
experiment (actual yield) in the last cell?
Table 3. Mass of Product
Trial 1

Mass of empty beaker 29.570 g

Mass of filter paper 0.331 g

Mass of beaker + filter paper + copper product, after:

First heating 30.254 g

Second heating 30.253 g

Third heating 30.253 g

Final mass of beaker + filter paper +
30.253 g
copper product, after heating
Mass of copper product formed in the ?
experiment (actual yield)

Post-lab

Hand in Tables 1-6 and show your calculations neatly for each trial.

Limiting Reactant v5 9
 Experiment 4: Limiting Reactant
Experimental Data and Calculations
Name: ___________________________________________________ Date: _______________________

Lab Partner: __________________________________________________ Section: _____________

Experimental Data and Calculations
Remember to include units of measure with each entry, and to read and record each measurement
to the full precision allowed by the instrument used. All tables should have a title - add where needed.

Table 1. Molar Mass of Reactants and Solid Product

1. Molar mass of copper(II) chloride

2. Molar mass of Al metal

3. Molar mass of Cu metal

Table 2. Amount of Reactants Used in Each Trial

1. Trial # Trial 1 Trial 2

2. Molarity of copper(II) chloride solution

3. Volume of copper(II) chloride solution

4. Moles of copper(II) chloride

5. Mass of Al foil

6. Moles of Al

(Note: the clear cells should contain your data; the shaded cells will contain calculated values.)
Show your work for Trial 1:

Limiting Reactant v5 10
 Table 3. Observations of Reactants and Products
Observations Trial 1 Trial 2
Reactants before mixing

Mixture after reaction complete

Table 4. Amount of Copper Produced in Each Trial

1. Trial # Trial 1 Trial 2

2. Mass of empty beaker

3. Mass of filter paper

4. Mass of beaker + filter paper + solid product, after:

a. First heating

b. Second heating

c. Third heating

d. Final mass of beaker + filter paper +

product, after heating

5. Mass of solid copper formed in the experiment

(actual yield)
Show your work for Trial 1:

Limiting Reactant v5 11
 Table 5. ___________________________________________
Balanced Equation:

1. Trial # Trial 1 Trial 2

2. Moles of Cu(s) theoretically formed if CuCl2

completely reacts

3. Moles of Cu(s) theoretically formed if Al completely

reacts

4. Chemical formula of the limiting reactant

5. Chemical formula of the excess reactant

6. Theoretical yield in moles of Cu(s)

7. Theoretical yield in grams of Cu(s)

8. Theoretical mass of the unreacted excess reactant

Show your work for each type of calculation for each trial:

Limiting Reactant v5 12
 Table 6. ____________________________________________
1. Trial # Trial 1 Trial 2

2. Actual yield (mass of solid copper formed in the

experiment)

3. Theoretical yield

4. Percent yield

Show your work for each type of calculation for each trial:

Limiting Reactant v5 13