Design an experiment to determine which reactant is the limiting reactant

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around designing an experiment to determine the limiting reactant between magnesium (Mg) and hydrochloric acid (HCl) in a reaction. Participants explore experimental approaches, expected products, and indicators of reaction progress.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests placing magnesium into a beaker of water and HCl to observe if it dissolves, proposing that if all magnesium dissolves, it is the limiting reactant, while undissolved magnesium would indicate HCl as the limiting reactant.
  • Another participant asks for clarification on expected products and indicators of a reaction, expressing agreement with the initial approach.
  • A suggestion is made to write out the chemical equation to identify products, with a mention that indirect measurements might be more useful, though this is uncertain.
  • One participant reiterates the logic of the initial approach, assuming the reaction goes to completion over time.
  • A later reply points out an implication regarding the rate of reaction, inviting further inquiry into this aspect.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the initial experimental approach, but there are uncertainties regarding the completeness of the reaction and the implications of reaction rates. Multiple viewpoints on the best method to determine the limiting reactant remain present.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding assumptions about the reaction going to completion and the potential need for indirect measurements, which are not fully resolved.

extraordinarygirl
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You have a piece of Mg of an unknown mass, and a beaker of water in which is dissolved an unknown amount of HCl. Design an experiment to determine which reactant is the limiting reactant.

I'm not too sure how to get started with this problem. I was thinking you could place the magnesium into the beaker of H20 and HCl and see if the magnesium dissolves at all. If all of it dissolves than the Magnesium would be the limiting reactant... but if not all of it dissolved HCl would be the limiting reactant
- Can anyone tell me if I am on the right track?:smile:
 
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Can anyone give me an idea?:confused:
 
Just wondering, what kind of products do you expect to result? What are some other clues that would indicate a reaction is taking place?
Sounds like you thought this through.. I go along with your approach..
 
Write out the chemical equation and see what the products will be. I have a feeling that an indirect measurement will be of better use... but I'm not sure.
 
extraordinarygirl said:
If all of it dissolves than the Magnesium would be the limiting reactant... but if not all of it dissolved HCl would be the limiting reactant

That's perfectly logical and all you would need to do, assuming of course the reaction goes to completion (which it will over time).
 
Cesium said:
That's perfectly logical and all you would need to do, assuming of course the reaction goes to completion (which it will over time).
There is an implication here in Cesium's comment about rate of reaction. Do you know what it is? (query is for ExGrl)
 

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