Final answer:
The concept of limiting and excess reactants is important in stoichiometry. The limiting reactant is used up completely and determines the amount of product that can be formed, while the excess reactant is present in excess and remains unreacted. Determining the limiting and excess reactants allows us to calculate the theoretical yield of the reaction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of limiting and excess reactants is an important aspect of stoichiometry in chemistry. When two or more reactants are involved in a chemical reaction, the reactant that is completely consumed and limits the amount of product that can be formed is called the limiting reactant. The other reactant(s) is considered to be in excess as there is more of it than is needed to react completely.
Knowing the limiting and excess reactants is crucial for stoichiometry calculations as it allows us to determine the maximum amount of product that can be obtained and the amount of the excess reactant that remains unreacted. By comparing the amounts of reactants to the balanced chemical equation, we can identify the limiting reactant and use it to calculate the theoretical yield of the reaction.