What is the difference between reactant and reagent?

Definitions

reactant

- Describing a substance that undergoes a chemical reaction.

- Referring to a substance that is consumed or changed during a chemical reaction.

- Talking about a substance that is present at the start of a chemical reaction and participates in it.

reagent

- Describing a substance used to detect or measure another substance in a chemical reaction.

- Referring to a substance added to a system to cause a chemical reaction or test for a specific substance.

- Talking about a substance that is used to initiate or control a chemical reaction.

List of Similarities

• 1. Both are substances involved in chemical reactions.
• 2. Both are essential components in chemical reactions.
• 3. Both can be used in laboratory experiments.
• 4. Both are important in chemical analysis.
• 5. Both can be used to measure or detect other substances.

What is the difference?

• 1. Function: Reactant is a substance that undergoes a chemical reaction, while reagent is a substance that is added to a system to cause a chemical reaction or test for a specific substance.
• 2. Usage: Reactant is used to describe a substance that participates in a chemical reaction, while reagent is used to describe a substance that initiates or controls a chemical reaction.
• 3. Scope: Reactant is a broader term that refers to any substance that undergoes a chemical reaction, while reagent is a more specific term that refers to a substance used in chemical analysis or experiments.
• 4. Quantity: Reactant is typically used in plural form to describe the substances involved in a chemical reaction, while reagent is usually used in singular form to describe the substance added to a system.
• 5. Connotation: Reactant is a neutral term, while reagent has a more technical connotation associated with laboratory experiments and chemical analysis.

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Remember this!

Reactant and reagent are both substances involved in chemical reactions, but they have different functions and usage. Reactant is a substance that undergoes a chemical reaction, while reagent is a substance that is added to a system to cause a chemical reaction or test for a specific substance. Reactant is a broader term that refers to any substance that participates in a chemical reaction, while reagent is a more specific term that refers to a substance used in chemical analysis or experiments.