AS114

EXPERIMENT 3
LIMITING REAGENT OF REACTION

WAN SYAZAQISTINA
2023300959

WAN SAFIYA IZZATI BINTI WAN MOHD ZURAIZAM

2023167031

DATE OF EXPERIMENT: 12 APRIL 2023

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 3 MAY 2023

LECTURER’S NAME: DR. RUHAIDA BINTI RUSMIN

INTRODUCTION
In a chemical reaction, the limiting reagent is the reactant that determines the quantity of
the products that are produced. Limiting reagents are also defined as the substances which
are entirely consumed in the completion of a chemical reaction. According to the
stoichiometry of chemical reactions, a fixed amount of reactants is required for the
completion of the reaction. The reason for a limiting reactant is that elements and
compounds react in a balanced chemical equation according to the mole ratio between
them. If the reactants are not mixed in the correct stoichiometric proportions (as seen in
the balanced chemical equation), then one of the reactants will be entirely consumed while
another will be left over in excess.
For this experiment, the reaction is between sodium carbonate , 𝑁𝑎2 𝐶𝑂3 and calcium
nitrate , 𝐶𝑎(𝑁𝑂3 )2 . The colour of products obtain is white solid of calcium carbonate,
𝐶𝑎𝐶𝑂3 . At the end of the experiments, students will be able to determine the limiting
reactant and calculate the percentage yield of the products using the formula below.

𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑
𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 = × 100
𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑

OBJECTIVES
1. To determine the limiting reagent from the reaction between sodium
carbonate and calcium nitrate.
2. To calculate the percentage yield of calcium carbonate.

APPARATUS
 Beakers (100 mL)
 Measuring cylinder (10 mL)
 Filter funnel
 Conical flask (100 mL)
 Filter paper
 Glass rod
 Watch glass
 Oven

CHEMICALS
 Sodium carbonate , 𝑁𝑎2 𝐶𝑂3
 Calcium nitrate , 𝐶𝑎(𝑁𝑂3 )2
 Distilled water
 PROCEDURE
1. The mass of a dry piece of filter paper was obtained and recorded.
2. Two solutions were prepared :
a. Solution A : 0.50 g of Na2CO3 was weighed in a clean and dry 100 ml beaker.
Exactly 10 ml of distilled water was added to the beaker.
b. Solution B : 1.00 g Ca(NO3)2 was weighed in a clean and dry 100 ml beaker.
Exactly 10 ml of distilled water was added to the beaker.
3. Solution A and solution B were mixed and the mixture was stirred with a glass rod.
4. A filter funnel was set up after complete mixing. The filter paper was placed in the
funnel and the sides were wetted with distilled water.
5. The mixture was filtered through the filter funnel and filter paper. The solution
continued passing through the funnel until the solution in the conical flask became
clear.
6. The filter paper was placed on the watch glass and put in the oven at 70 °C. The filter
paper and the solid were dried for 30–35 minutes. The mass of the filter paper nd
the solid were recorded.
7. The filter paper and solid were discarded in the trash can.

CALCULATIONS
1. Write a balanced chemical equation including phases for the reaction.

𝑁𝑎2 𝐶𝑂3 (𝑎𝑞) + 𝐶𝑎(𝑁𝑂3 )2 (𝑎𝑞) → 2𝑁𝑎𝑁𝑂3 (𝑎𝑞) + 𝐶𝑎𝐶𝑂3 (𝑠)

2. Determine the limiting reagent for the reaction.

𝑁𝑎2 𝐶𝑂3 𝐶𝑎(𝑁𝑂3 )2

0.5107 1.0516
𝑀𝑜𝑙𝑒 = 𝑀𝑜𝑙𝑒 =
106 164
= 0.004818 = 0.006412
Mole divided with coefficient
Mole divided with coefficient
0.004818 0.006412
= 0.004818 = 0.006412
1 1

Therefore , the limiting regent is 𝑁𝑎2 𝐶𝑂3 .

3. Calculate the expected mass of 𝐶𝑎𝐶𝑂3 produced from the masses of 𝑁𝑎2 𝐶𝑂3 and
𝐶𝑎(𝑁𝑂3 )2 .

𝑅𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝐶𝑎𝐶𝑂3 = 40 + 12 + 16(3)

= 152
 𝑁𝑎2 𝐶𝑂3 ∶ 𝐶𝑎𝐶𝑂3

0.004818 ∶ 𝑥

𝑥 = 0.004818 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐶𝑎𝐶𝑂3

𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝐶𝑎𝐶𝑂3 = 0.04818 (152)

= 0.7323 g

4. Determine the percentage yield 𝐶𝑎𝐶𝑂3 .

0.1770
(100%) = 24.17%
0.7323

DISCUSSION
Based on the calculation the yield percentage is 24.17% which is much less from what we
are expected because of the mass of the product 𝐶𝑎𝐶𝑂3 that we got was 0.1770 g is less
from the theory which is 0.7323 g.
This is because of the fan of the oven was too strong that made the product, 𝐶𝑎𝐶𝑂3 on the
filter paper flung inside and scattered the dried product. The mass of the product should be
less or equal from the theory which in between 0.5g and above because the limiting
reactant , 𝑁𝑎2 𝐶𝑂3 supply for 0.5107 g and must be use maximumly.

In order to get the accurate result the reactant must weigh accurately. To avoid unlucky
incident the oven must be set up low power of fan so the product would not be interrupted.

CONCLUSION
As an overall conclusion , the limiting reagent in this experiment is Sodium carbonate ,
𝑁𝑎2 𝐶𝑂3 while the excessive reagent is Calcium nitrate , 𝐶𝑎(𝑁𝑂3 )2 by finding the number of
moles of two compound and compare ‘H’ . The percentage of Calcium carbonate , 𝐶𝑎𝐶𝑂3
can be calculated by dividing the actual mass and theoretical mass and times by 100% .So ,
the percentage yield of 𝐶𝑎𝐶𝑂3 is 24.17%.
QUESTIONS
1. Determine type of reaction occurred in this experiment.
= Precipitation reaction

2. If the mass of 𝑁𝑎2 𝐶𝑂3 was doubled and the mass of 𝐶𝑎𝐶𝑂3 was held constant,
would you have the same limiting reactant ? Show calculations to support your
answer.

𝑁𝑎2 𝐶𝑂3
𝐶𝑎(𝑁𝑂3 )2
1.0214
𝑀𝑜𝑙𝑒 =
106 1.0516
= 0.009636 𝑀𝑜𝑙𝑒 =
164
= 0.006412
Mole divided with coefficient Mole divided with coefficient

0.009636 0.006412
= 0.009636 = 0.006412
1 1

No , the limiting reagent is 𝐶𝑎(𝑁𝑂3 )2 .

PREFERENCES
 BOOK : J. A. Beran (2009). Laboratory Manual for Principles of General Chemistry
(8th Edition). 111 River Street , Hoboken , NJ. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

 Journal: Diego J. R. da Silva (2017). The Basis of the Limiting Reagent Concept, Its
Identification and Applications. 5(1): 1-7.