The ratio of reactants in a chemical reaction plays a crucial role in determining the rate of reaction and the amount of product formed. This is because the stoichiometry of a reaction dictates the proportions in which reactants combine to form products. The rate of reaction and the amount of product formed can be affected by the following factors:1. Stoichiometric ratio: The stoichiometric ratio is the balanced ratio of reactants in a chemical equation. When the reactants are present in their stoichiometric ratio, the reaction proceeds at an optimal rate, and the maximum amount of product is formed. If the ratio of reactants is not stoichiometric, one of the reactants will be in excess, and the other will be a limiting reactant. The limiting reactant determines the amount of product formed, as it will be completely consumed before the reaction reaches completion.2. Concentration of reactants: The concentration of reactants directly affects the rate of reaction. According to the collision theory, an increase in the concentration of reactants increases the frequency of collisions between particles, leading to a higher reaction rate. If the ratio of reactants is altered, the concentration of one or both reactants may change, affecting the rate of reaction.3. Reaction order: The reaction order describes how the rate of reaction is affected by the concentration of reactants. For a first-order reaction, the rate is directly proportional to the concentration of one reactant. For a second-order reaction, the rate is proportional to the concentration of one reactant squared or the product of the concentrations of two reactants. Changing the ratio of reactants can impact the rate of reaction depending on the reaction order.4. Reaction mechanism: The reaction mechanism is the step-by-step process by which reactants are converted into products. The rate-determining step is the slowest step in the mechanism and determines the overall rate of the reaction. If the ratio of reactants affects the rate-determining step, it will influence the rate of reaction and the amount of product formed.In summary, the ratio of reactants in a chemical reaction can significantly impact the rate of reaction and the amount of product formed. Ensuring that reactants are present in their stoichiometric ratio allows for optimal reaction rates and maximum product formation. Deviations from the stoichiometric ratio can lead to changes in reactant concentrations, reaction rates, and product yields.