(a) Define the terms limiting reactant and excess reactant.

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1. The limiting reactant in a chemical reaction is the substance that is completely consumed first, limiting the amount of product that can be formed. It determines the maximum amount of product that can be produced in the reaction.
2. To identify the limiting reactant, compare the mole ratio of the reactants used in the reaction to the mole ratio in the balanced chemical equation.
3. The excess reactant is the substance that remains after the reaction has gone to completion. It is present in a greater amount than necessary to completely react with the limiting reactant.
4. To find the excess reactant, calculate how much of it is left over after the reaction by subtracting the amount that reacted from the initial amount.
5. Understanding these concepts is crucial for stoichiometry calculations, as they help predict the quantities of products formed and reactants consumed in a chemical reaction.