Reactant Chemistry Example 1

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Example 1

easy
Define the term 'reactant' in a chemical reaction. In the reaction 2H2+O2→2H2O2\text{H}_2 + \text{O}_2 \rightarrow 2\text{H}_2\text{O}, identify all reactants.

Solution

  1. 1
    A reactant is a substance that is consumed (used up) during a chemical reaction. Reactants appear on the left side of the chemical equation.
  2. 2
    In 2H2+O2→2H2O2\text{H}_2 + \text{O}_2 \rightarrow 2\text{H}_2\text{O}, the reactants are H2\text{H}_2 (hydrogen gas) and O2\text{O}_2 (oxygen gas).
  3. 3
    The coefficients (2 and 1) tell us the molar ratio: 2 moles of H2\text{H}_2 react with 1 mole of O2\text{O}_2.

Answer

Reactants: H2 and O2 (left side of the arrow)\text{Reactants: H}_2\text{ and O}_2\text{ (left side of the arrow)}
Reactants are the starting materials in a chemical reaction. They are transformed into products through bond breaking and bond forming. The arrow in a chemical equation points from reactants to products.

About Reactant

A starting substance that is consumed and chemically transformed during a chemical reaction, appearing on the left side of a chemical equation before the reaction.

Learn more about Reactant →

More Reactant Examples

Example 2 medium

In the reaction [formula], identify the reactants and determine the mole ratio in which they react.

Example 3 medium

In the combustion of propane, [formula], how many moles of [formula] are needed to react completely

Example 4 hard

A student mixes [formula] g of sodium ([formula]) with excess water. The reaction is: [formula]. Cal

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