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The coefficients in a chemical equation represent the amount of moles of each substance involved in the reaction. On a smaller level, it also represents the amount of particles that have to collide or are produced in the reaction. Consider the following example:

CH4(g) + 2O2(g) (arrow) 2H2O(l) + CO2(g)

The coefficent behind oxygen in the reactants means that 2 molecules of oxygen have to collide with 1 molecules of methane to react. The coefficients in the products mean that this reaction produces 2 molecules of water and 1 molecule of carbon dioxide.

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10y ago
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12y ago

relative numbers of moles of reactants and products

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7y ago

The coefficients represents the number of atoms or molecules involved in the chemical equation.

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6y ago

They represent the number of molecules in a balanced equation.

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Q: Explain what a coefficient in a balanced chemical equation represents?
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what reactant has the smallest coefficient in a balanced chemical equation?

It depends on the equation.


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