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Topic: General question about reaction going to completion  (Read 2399 times)

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Offline limonade

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General question about reaction going to completion
« on: November 10, 2013, 02:06:25 AM »
If I have a reaction that goes to completion, in which all of one reactant is consumed, does this mean that I have 100% conversion of that reactant?

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but thank you in advance for your response.

Offline MrTeo

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Re: General question about reaction going to completion
« Reply #1 on: November 10, 2013, 02:40:25 AM »
Yes.
The way of the superior man may be compared to what takes place in traveling, when to go to a distance we must first traverse the space that is near, and in ascending a height, when we must begin from the lower ground. (Confucius)

Offline Arkcon

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Re: General question about reaction going to completion
« Reply #2 on: November 10, 2013, 06:32:00 AM »
Theoretically, yes.  You've summarized it well, and I agree with MrTeo:.  However, if you're trying to think practically, there are other things to consider.  Putting it simply, as the reaction proceeds, the limiting reactant becomes harder and harder to find, mixed in with products and other reactants.   Getting more nitpicky, you'll have to consider how well it mixes, what volumes we're talking about, how rapidly it reacts ... and a host of other things, like vessel size and shape, loss of one or another reactant by various means, and other things.  So we often do't accept that a reaction that "goes to completion" is guaranteed to have zero reactant left over.
Hey, I'm not judging.  I just like to shoot straight.  I'm a man of science.

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