Formation of Barium Iodate

In this lab experience, students vary the amounts of either barium ion or iodate ion to evaluate limiting reagents and how the mole ratio between the reactants plays a role. The importance of stoichiometry calculations is the primary focus of this lab. Students will use different reactant volumes to evaluate limiting and excess reagents. They will see that one single reactant is not always limiting. The molar ratio between the reactants is what determines whether one is limiting and the other is in excess. This lab will also help students understand the difficulty in achieving perfect molar equality between the reactants. There is generally always an excess and limiting reactant. But with careful calculations that excess can be minimized.