Which reaction outcome is affected by the limiting reagent?

The maximum amount of product formed in a chemical reaction is directly influenced by the limiting reagent. The limiting reagent is the reactant that is consumed first in a chemical reaction; once it is completely used up, the reaction cannot continue, and no additional product can be formed. Therefore, the quantity of product generated is determined by the amount of the limiting reagent available at the start of the reaction.

In a stoichiometric calculation involving reactants, if one reactant is present in a lesser amount than required according to the balanced equation, it will restrict the formation of products to its own amount, thereby establishing the maximum yield. Thus, the limiting reagent directly correlates to how much product can ultimately be produced in that reaction.

In contrast, while temperature, concentration, and reaction time are important factors in chemical reactions, they do not determine the maximum product formation in the same way the limiting reagent does. Temperature can influence reaction rate and equilibrium but does not change the stoichiometry of the product formed. Concentration affects the reaction rate and can impact how quickly a product forms, but it does not alter the final yield based on the stoichiometric limits set by the limiting reagent. Similarly, time taken for the reaction can vary based on many factors without