Reactant Chemistry Example 2

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

Example 2

medium
In the reaction CaCO3+2HCl→CaCl2+H2O+CO2\text{CaCO}_3 + 2\text{HCl} \rightarrow \text{CaCl}_2 + \text{H}_2\text{O} + \text{CO}_2, identify the reactants and determine the mole ratio in which they react.

Solution

  1. 1
    The reactants are on the left side of the arrow: CaCO3\text{CaCO}_3 (calcium carbonate) and HCl\text{HCl} (hydrochloric acid).
  2. 2
    The coefficients show the mole ratio: 1 mole of CaCO3\text{CaCO}_3 reacts with 2 moles of HCl\text{HCl}.
  3. 3
    This means for every formula unit of calcium carbonate consumed, two formula units of hydrochloric acid are consumed.

Answer

Reactants: CaCO3 and HCl in a 1:2 mole ratio\text{Reactants: CaCO}_3\text{ and HCl in a 1:2 mole ratio}
Understanding the mole ratio of reactants is essential for stoichiometric calculations. If you know the amount of one reactant, you can calculate the amount of the other needed for complete reaction.

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 1 easy

Define the term 'reactant' in a chemical reaction. In the reaction [formula], identify all reactants

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

← All Reactant Examples Reactant Concept